7:35 – Driving to work is very hard this morning. The sun is shining and it is going to be a beautiful day. I haven’t had any real time off (to just enjoy the day) since I started last July. I am tired, and I hate (with all my heart) being stuck in a stupid office all day when it is so nice outside. I am longing to spend the day sitting on the deck reading, then going for a long walk.
8:00 – Only 13 confirmations, looking to be a slow day.
9:25 – Big, closed door meeting going on. I wonder what’s up now. No doubt the fate of the free world is at stake.
10:56 – Back from the post office. It seems that I have to make an extra trip to the bank today…on my lunch hour. The same broker who we have been fielding calls for (from bill collectors) needs his check deposited at noon so that he can draw on it from SWST immediately. This means making an extra bank run for his personal benefit…not to mention a separate posting and separate paperwork. I don’t understand why it is my responsibility to continually cover his rear end because he is a deadbeat. This is very irritating. I don’t think there is even a salve for this kind of irritation.
1:27 – Back from the first bank run, and lunch. Marvin surprised me by taking me to lunch today. He had to go to Haysville to take a couple of resumes to ad agencies, so he was at this end of town at the right time! We sat in line at Intrust (to make the deadbeat deposit) for almost 10 minutes. At 11:45 we headed for Freddies! I have never seen that place so crowded as it was today! Lots of people on their way out for the afternoon to enjoy the sunshine…I wish we were among them. Marvin had a big burger and fries, I had the fish basket (hoping it would be easier to chew…but I was wrong). Then…back to work. Before Karen left she asked me to do 4 tickets that John had given her before he left for lunch. I did those just in time for John to get back and bring me two more, then he brought me a couple that he had screwed up and asked me to fix them. I swear…sometimes I feel like a judge on the take…(“I got these tickets…can you fix them…?”), except that my bank account doesn’t seem to be growing by leaps and bounds.
2:22 – Entering lots of tickets…all bonds. (That ‘slow day’ thing…not so much!) Inventory 614 and 618 will be top heavy on Monday. We have two files missing…completely. This has happened several times in the past two months. Then they have shown back up after a few days…and no one seemed to know where they had been. We will see what happens with these. So frustrating.
2:34 – Karen is just about at the end of her rope…John keeps changing his mind about a personal spread sheet he is having her do for him. He has a CPA, but says he can save a bunch of money by having her do it instead. First he wanted everything consolidated…as soon as she finished that…he decided he wanted it in sections…she started over. If I ever have a ton of money…I pledge right now…I will not use it as an excuse to use and abuse people around me.
3:10 – AHA!!!!!!!! The missing files just turned up…IN THE BROKERS DRAWER! A HUGE NO NO!! Good grief Charlie Brown…are there any adults working here? Going to the bank now…
3:50 – Back from the bank. What a beautiful day outside. I put the top down and took the long way. As I passed a house in East Borough….I saw something horrifying. Scattered randomly around one of the yards…several gigantic, pastel eggs. I mean…these things are huge! I bet my arms would barely fit around one of them! What terrifying creature could be responsible for these? Can you imagine the screams and cries of children as they run for cover….when this massive Easter bunny comes thundering out from wherever it is hiding? What sick mind conjured up these props…?
4:00- John left a few minutes ago…jokingly he said “You guys wouldn’t mind working until 6:00 or so would you?” I replied, “Not if you beg on your knees…!” followed by fake laughter as I made a mental note to put ‘a little something extra’ in his bottled water next week.
4:05 – My co-worker is using the last few minutes of the week to kiss the Pit Bull’s hiney. Disgusting. I hope she gets distemper.
Be Well!
Friday, March 31, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Hump day...
Wednesday is almost over...hump day is almost finished and I have decided it is aptly named! The 'hump' in this week has been huge! A very busy day...the pit bull has developed a bad case of rabies. We are steering clear whenever possible, and she is still nipping at our heels, for no apparent reason, other than self- gratification and control. I wonder if she is housebroken...?
I am tired out, fed up, broken down, and my neck hurts. But it's almost 4:30! Still praying for those miracles! Please keep our whole family in your prayers!
Be Well!
I am tired out, fed up, broken down, and my neck hurts. But it's almost 4:30! Still praying for those miracles! Please keep our whole family in your prayers!
Be Well!
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Saturday...
Today was a good day, and last night was a good evening! Chas made dinner last night (goulash, mac & cheese, and garlic toast, with chocolate pie for desert), we ate and laughed and it felt like old times! It was wonderful! ! I know that Shane was having a lot of back pain...but his spirits seemed lifted a bit! We spent the afternoon with the kids, and by the end of the day...everyone was smiling...including Shane! We've had a rough six weeks...maybe this will signal the turning point! Please continue to pray for our family...I'm still expecting those miracles!
Evermore…
On the eve of evermore…
I hope to understand,
The things I never could before…
Fate’s hateful slight of hand.
Why wicked people prosper,
Righteous are the victims…
Incidious plots are fostered,
It seems to be the dictum.
In our souls, confusion reigns…
Terror stings our shattered hearts,
Our lives assaulted by such things…
While destiny flaunts her selfish part.
Will it then, be clear to me…
Mysteries of the universe,
Why good suffers heavily…
And bad are none-the-worse.
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Be well!
Evermore…
On the eve of evermore…
I hope to understand,
The things I never could before…
Fate’s hateful slight of hand.
Why wicked people prosper,
Righteous are the victims…
Incidious plots are fostered,
It seems to be the dictum.
In our souls, confusion reigns…
Terror stings our shattered hearts,
Our lives assaulted by such things…
While destiny flaunts her selfish part.
Will it then, be clear to me…
Mysteries of the universe,
Why good suffers heavily…
And bad are none-the-worse.
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Be well!
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Today...
7:17 – A very slick drive to work this morning. Ice underneath the snow made the appearance of the roads very deceptive at first. It didn’t take long to adjust, I only slid through one intersection, and thankfully, I was the only one there (access road behind Kellogg).
7:45 – Arrived at work a bit later than I had wanted to, but not as late as it could have been.
7:50 – Courtney is here to man the phones today. She is a very nice person and I really enjoy having her here. She brought her little black Pekinese (Tomo) with her today! That is an extra nice treat! It sure beats the Pit Bull who has the next two days off!
8:00 – Confirmations are copying, and reports are printing.
9:00 – Reports double checked for accuracy, then distributed, confirmations, and tickets are finished! Not bad for only one person. Petted dog.
9:30 – Finished stock transfers for Steve, and gave John confirmation of the KPERS material that he was stressing about.
9:40 – Customer documents stuffed and stamped. Petted dog.
9:45 – Morning ‘Customer Filing’ organized…I will slide it in somewhere during the day.
9:50 – Restocked the fridge. Petted dog.
10:00 – Going to the Post Office
10:34 – Back from the Post Office, the ice and snow are almost completely melted from the streets. The only problem spots now are elevated roads, bridges, and shady places. A small mail day, so we’ll see what transpires next. Petted dog.
11:13 – Finished morning bank deposits and postings…darn multiple accounts are quadruple the work and time. Marvin called, he is heading out to begin the day of job hunting. He was really down. Still praying for those Miracles.
11:45 – Finished all morning filing, check okay and print, researching correct address for Meritage. Petted dog.
1:00 – Back from lunch. My gums finally felt good enough today to eat eggs and biscuits with gravy for lunch! Silly I know…but it tasted sooooo much better than soup and applesauce. Petted dog.
1:45 – Opened two new accounts, I actually have one more, but it is under the same name as one of the other two, and I don’t want to give SWST a chance to mess them up…so I will send it AFTER the other two are finished. Afternoon deposits are filled out, still need posted… Petted dog.
3:00 – Entered some tickets, corrected one ticket, processed the new accounts that I opened earlier, responded to a problem at SWST about one of them. Posted deposits. Petted dog. Dog went home.:(
4:00 – Intercepted a UPS package that had not been copied into the correspondence file, copied it into the correspondence file and sent it out. Typed out/distributed (via email) a new Inventory for John.
4:17 – Set coffee up for morning, emptied shredder
4:30 - Out of here!
Be well!
7:45 – Arrived at work a bit later than I had wanted to, but not as late as it could have been.
7:50 – Courtney is here to man the phones today. She is a very nice person and I really enjoy having her here. She brought her little black Pekinese (Tomo) with her today! That is an extra nice treat! It sure beats the Pit Bull who has the next two days off!
8:00 – Confirmations are copying, and reports are printing.
9:00 – Reports double checked for accuracy, then distributed, confirmations, and tickets are finished! Not bad for only one person. Petted dog.
9:30 – Finished stock transfers for Steve, and gave John confirmation of the KPERS material that he was stressing about.
9:40 – Customer documents stuffed and stamped. Petted dog.
9:45 – Morning ‘Customer Filing’ organized…I will slide it in somewhere during the day.
9:50 – Restocked the fridge. Petted dog.
10:00 – Going to the Post Office
10:34 – Back from the Post Office, the ice and snow are almost completely melted from the streets. The only problem spots now are elevated roads, bridges, and shady places. A small mail day, so we’ll see what transpires next. Petted dog.
11:13 – Finished morning bank deposits and postings…darn multiple accounts are quadruple the work and time. Marvin called, he is heading out to begin the day of job hunting. He was really down. Still praying for those Miracles.
11:45 – Finished all morning filing, check okay and print, researching correct address for Meritage. Petted dog.
1:00 – Back from lunch. My gums finally felt good enough today to eat eggs and biscuits with gravy for lunch! Silly I know…but it tasted sooooo much better than soup and applesauce. Petted dog.
1:45 – Opened two new accounts, I actually have one more, but it is under the same name as one of the other two, and I don’t want to give SWST a chance to mess them up…so I will send it AFTER the other two are finished. Afternoon deposits are filled out, still need posted… Petted dog.
3:00 – Entered some tickets, corrected one ticket, processed the new accounts that I opened earlier, responded to a problem at SWST about one of them. Posted deposits. Petted dog. Dog went home.:(
4:00 – Intercepted a UPS package that had not been copied into the correspondence file, copied it into the correspondence file and sent it out. Typed out/distributed (via email) a new Inventory for John.
4:17 – Set coffee up for morning, emptied shredder
4:30 - Out of here!
Be well!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Wednesday...almost over the hump...
I am trying to implement a new policy (within myself). I am…by nature, a low key person…it takes a lot to make me “lash out”. The only things that really make me blind with rage are when people mess with the three people in my life who are the most dear to me…the three that are a part of my heart and soul….they are my breath…My husband and my kids. I have begun to notice lately, that I am allowing myself to be a doormat at work…mostly due to my own reluctance to stand up for myself. So…I’m trying hard to grow a backbone…not an easy task at 51 years old. Who knows…it could happen.
Essence…
Not that…which we can see
Or hear, or taste, or give away,
But rather that which we can be…
What it is…we cannot say.
It is the marrow of our soul,
The center of our heart…
Over us it holds control,
A master work of art.
It is the basis, for our hopes…
The roadmap for our dreams,
Ups and downs, slippery slopes…
The substance of our schemes.
Our essence…or essentia…
In that vast expanse of evermore,
Tells us who we cannot stand…
And who we shall adore!
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved
Essence…
Not that…which we can see
Or hear, or taste, or give away,
But rather that which we can be…
What it is…we cannot say.
It is the marrow of our soul,
The center of our heart…
Over us it holds control,
A master work of art.
It is the basis, for our hopes…
The roadmap for our dreams,
Ups and downs, slippery slopes…
The substance of our schemes.
Our essence…or essentia…
In that vast expanse of evermore,
Tells us who we cannot stand…
And who we shall adore!
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
I have a request...
It’s finally slowed down enough that I can sit back and breathe. I am so tired…I could easily fall asleep. The market closed at three…so the brokers are beginning to drift out now, that’s a good thing! I am amazed to see that I am caught up on everything (even filing). If I can keep on top of it all week, it will literally be unbelievable!
Speaking of miracles…I have an odd request…I have no idea how many people actually read this blog…but I am going to relate an experience that I had this morning as I was driving to work.
It was about 7:20 a.m., and I was driving down I-35 on my way to work. There are several times during the day that I normally use as a prayer time…my drive to work is one of those times each and every day (don’t worry…I don’t close my eyes). This morning I was having a difficult time praying…I have been pretty down lately from the onslaught of things that have beset our family. Unemployment, plumbing problems, hernia surgery, home robbery, my hospitalization, my dental problems, stuff at work….! Finally, I just began to search my brain…”How do I pray? Do I pray for all of these things individually…as I have been…do I simply ask for God to cover us with His grace…what do I do?”
Then…I felt God telling me “Pray for a miracle.” Over and over, I felt it…! I figure that if God tells me to do it…I need to do it. So, I did. My request is that everyone who reads this would also pray for a miracle…selfishly…I would ask that you pray for our family…but also for other things all around us. God is in the business of miracles….please help me ask Him.
Be Well!
Speaking of miracles…I have an odd request…I have no idea how many people actually read this blog…but I am going to relate an experience that I had this morning as I was driving to work.
It was about 7:20 a.m., and I was driving down I-35 on my way to work. There are several times during the day that I normally use as a prayer time…my drive to work is one of those times each and every day (don’t worry…I don’t close my eyes). This morning I was having a difficult time praying…I have been pretty down lately from the onslaught of things that have beset our family. Unemployment, plumbing problems, hernia surgery, home robbery, my hospitalization, my dental problems, stuff at work….! Finally, I just began to search my brain…”How do I pray? Do I pray for all of these things individually…as I have been…do I simply ask for God to cover us with His grace…what do I do?”
Then…I felt God telling me “Pray for a miracle.” Over and over, I felt it…! I figure that if God tells me to do it…I need to do it. So, I did. My request is that everyone who reads this would also pray for a miracle…selfishly…I would ask that you pray for our family…but also for other things all around us. God is in the business of miracles….please help me ask Him.
Be Well!
Monday, March 20, 2006
Grumpy warning...
The past few days have been the worst that we've seen in a while. Shane's house being broken into, my time in the hospital...still no job prospects. But, it's over...for now anyway. I find myself tense wondering what will happen next. Still...there were good things mingled with the bad...Shane wasn't home when they robbed him (I thank God for that over and over), Sugar didn't get run over while she was out romping the neighborhood (and she found her way back), we had insurance to cover the hospital and I didn't require surgery, and we are still able to pay the bills and keep our house (so far).
So...I know how ungrateful it may sound...but this was still a crummy day. I went back to work, before I really felt like going, because I knew there would be no one else there to do the day-to-day grunt work. And of course, it was horribly busy. At least twice during the day, I looked around me at the piles of work and wondered if I could get them all taken care of without mixing things up and sending things to the wrong places...or leaving half the information off of something. I don't have a clue how that turned out...time will tell I suppose.
Tonight, my hand and arm hurt...but they are both lots better than even yesterday. If I can just get some energy back now, I'll be good to go. I didn't walk my usual mile tonight...I just didn't have it in me. Hopefully tomorrow though. Walking is more than just exercise for me...it is a time to let go of the day...to clear away the dark clouds and grab a piece of sunshine, I actually need to walk and be outdoors...just a time to not think about anything except the music on my ipod and good things. No expectations...no rules...no anything...just the sky, and the ducks, and the dogs, and the wind, and the kids laughing and playing, and the walk.
Tomorrow is another day. It's kind of scary.
Be Well!
So...I know how ungrateful it may sound...but this was still a crummy day. I went back to work, before I really felt like going, because I knew there would be no one else there to do the day-to-day grunt work. And of course, it was horribly busy. At least twice during the day, I looked around me at the piles of work and wondered if I could get them all taken care of without mixing things up and sending things to the wrong places...or leaving half the information off of something. I don't have a clue how that turned out...time will tell I suppose.
Tonight, my hand and arm hurt...but they are both lots better than even yesterday. If I can just get some energy back now, I'll be good to go. I didn't walk my usual mile tonight...I just didn't have it in me. Hopefully tomorrow though. Walking is more than just exercise for me...it is a time to let go of the day...to clear away the dark clouds and grab a piece of sunshine, I actually need to walk and be outdoors...just a time to not think about anything except the music on my ipod and good things. No expectations...no rules...no anything...just the sky, and the ducks, and the dogs, and the wind, and the kids laughing and playing, and the walk.
Tomorrow is another day. It's kind of scary.
Be Well!
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Trashed...
Okay...I just got back from my noon walk at the mall. I think I may be losing it...!
After completing 4 laps, I stopped at the Arby kiosk to get my usual iced tea. Intensely aware of the trash can lurking only a few yards away...I put my Sweet 'n' Low in the glass, at the counter, and handed the clerk the trash. I turned to walk away...glancing sideways at the leering container...I thought to myself "TAKE THAT! NO TRASH FOR YOU TODAY! HA!"
I'm afraid "The whole world's gone mad but thee and me...perhaps just thee?"
I fear I am becoming the 'trash nazi'.
Be Well!
After completing 4 laps, I stopped at the Arby kiosk to get my usual iced tea. Intensely aware of the trash can lurking only a few yards away...I put my Sweet 'n' Low in the glass, at the counter, and handed the clerk the trash. I turned to walk away...glancing sideways at the leering container...I thought to myself "TAKE THAT! NO TRASH FOR YOU TODAY! HA!"
I'm afraid "The whole world's gone mad but thee and me...perhaps just thee?"
I fear I am becoming the 'trash nazi'.
Be Well!
One Hot Day...
I received an email Saturday…that really made my day! The Butler County Community College literary magazine accepted one of my poems for publication this year! They published a prose piece that I submitted last year also. I am very grateful to them for the opportunity! It also helps to soften the blow of my rapidly growing pile of rejections from other publishers! The piece that they accepted is one that I wrote after pondering the plight of the elderly in rest homes. It is a sad thing to visit someone in one of those places…and as I thought about it…I imagined what it would be like if the ‘inmates took over the asylum’ (so to speak). I know…my mind isn’t ‘normal’….but honestly…’normal’ is over rated!
One Hot Day
They sat in the courtyard
In the noonday sun,
The attendants had left them
alone, just for fun.
Sweating and swearing,
Four of them there,
Three sporting walkers,
One in a chair.
“Shady Pines” was a drag,
Of this be assured,
To this little group
Thoughts of mischief occurred.
The sun was so hot,
The fountain looked cool,
“We mustn’t” said Gertie,
“You know the rule!”
I’m eighty!” cried Gus,
“I’ll do what I please!”
“Me too!” added Betty,
As they made for the trees.
Walkers cast off,
Wheelchair forsaken,
The going was rough,
But haste they were makin!
Support hose, suspenders,
Granny panties and sensible shoes,
“Take it all off!” yelled Burt.
“We’ve nothing to lose!”
The rest is a legend
I know you’ve all heard,
It was the day “Shady Pines”,
Became “The Jay Bird”.
Copyright©2005 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Be Well!
One Hot Day
They sat in the courtyard
In the noonday sun,
The attendants had left them
alone, just for fun.
Sweating and swearing,
Four of them there,
Three sporting walkers,
One in a chair.
“Shady Pines” was a drag,
Of this be assured,
To this little group
Thoughts of mischief occurred.
The sun was so hot,
The fountain looked cool,
“We mustn’t” said Gertie,
“You know the rule!”
I’m eighty!” cried Gus,
“I’ll do what I please!”
“Me too!” added Betty,
As they made for the trees.
Walkers cast off,
Wheelchair forsaken,
The going was rough,
But haste they were makin!
Support hose, suspenders,
Granny panties and sensible shoes,
“Take it all off!” yelled Burt.
“We’ve nothing to lose!”
The rest is a legend
I know you’ve all heard,
It was the day “Shady Pines”,
Became “The Jay Bird”.
Copyright©2005 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Be Well!
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Tuesday afternoon...
A busy day, without a doubt. Not overwhelming though. Marvin came for lunch (after his interviews). No real results yet…but a possibility, perhaps by Friday or so. A way will come.
It’s almost 4:00 now…the market closed at 3:00, so most of the brokers have gone. It is finally quiet, giving us time to tie up all of those loose ends. All checks have been posted, and the bank run is done. Now we just wait…while the clock ticks…and we lose more time inside this concrete prison. Daylight slips away like the precious thing that it is. If I ever have my own business…I will close the doors everyday as soon as the days work is complete. There will be none of this nonsense of waiting until the appointed time to leave…just because “that’s what we do”. Life is too short to spend it in limbo. The sign on the door will read:
Open - Monday-Friday by 9:00 a.m. (approximately)
Closed – When we are finished (no later than 3:00 p.m.)
Our holidays will be:
Friday afternoons
All legal holidays
All bank holidays
All federal holidays
Birthdays of all employees
Any day that it snows
Any day when the sun shines and the temperature is above 70, we will dismiss at noon
Anytime you can convince me that it should be a holiday
We will have offices indoors and outdoors…a pool will be provided for those who wish to work poolside. Chocolate, diet coke, and Icees will always be available in the breakroom. Dress code will be…whatever you are comfortable in.
Okay…I might not be in business very long…but it will be fun while it lasts!
Be Well!
It’s almost 4:00 now…the market closed at 3:00, so most of the brokers have gone. It is finally quiet, giving us time to tie up all of those loose ends. All checks have been posted, and the bank run is done. Now we just wait…while the clock ticks…and we lose more time inside this concrete prison. Daylight slips away like the precious thing that it is. If I ever have my own business…I will close the doors everyday as soon as the days work is complete. There will be none of this nonsense of waiting until the appointed time to leave…just because “that’s what we do”. Life is too short to spend it in limbo. The sign on the door will read:
Open - Monday-Friday by 9:00 a.m. (approximately)
Closed – When we are finished (no later than 3:00 p.m.)
Our holidays will be:
Friday afternoons
All legal holidays
All bank holidays
All federal holidays
Birthdays of all employees
Any day that it snows
Any day when the sun shines and the temperature is above 70, we will dismiss at noon
Anytime you can convince me that it should be a holiday
We will have offices indoors and outdoors…a pool will be provided for those who wish to work poolside. Chocolate, diet coke, and Icees will always be available in the breakroom. Dress code will be…whatever you are comfortable in.
Okay…I might not be in business very long…but it will be fun while it lasts!
Be Well!
Monday, March 13, 2006
Blow by blow...
Monday morning…
8:30 – I started the day off right…tried to crease a confirmation and got a paper cut all the way along the side of my hand.
8:56 - it looks like a quiet day so far…kind of scary! Days that begin this way usually end up being fast and frantic! I hope that’s not the case today!
9:00 – There is a lively discussion about our Controller’s ex-husband…apparently, she and one of our other co-worker’s is planning to play some mind games with him. They tried to bring me into the plan…I refused. It isn’t that I don’t agree that the ex is acting like a jerk…but I grew up with divorced parents who couldn’t quit hacking each other to death. It isn’t the adults who suffer in these battles, it’s the children. In this case there is a sweet three year old involved…I won’t be a part of this. It isn’t a game. Grow the heck up!
9:36 – A client who has her accounts set up with her two daughters…as JTWROS…is requesting/demanding that we issue a check to her WITHOUT her daughters names on the check. She is requesting a sizable amount of money…but that is really irrelevant.
We cannot issue a check (of any size) to only one of the people on an account of that nature. The broker is asking me to do it anyway…I refused.
9:43 – The broker found a way around it…we will ACH the funds. Creative brokering.
9:50 – Marvin just called…the interview this morning went well…but the position hasn’t even been funded yet. It could be anywhere from two days to two months before they are ready to actually hire.
10:00 – My arm (tendonitis) is hurting like a !$@(%*^&! this morning. I just put my stupid brace on…fortunately I wore a ¾ length sleeve this morning, so the brace won’t show. It is really uncomfortable though. I know…gripe, gripe, gripe…at least I have both arms.
10:34 – Back from the post office. It is a light mail day. Just got an email from Karen…apparently her son is flying in to Mid Continent, at 12:45 and out again at 2:15…so she is taking a long lunch to go eat with him. She is off all next week too. I am the only one here who doesn’t take long lunches sporadically. I‘m getting really tired of being responsible and doing the ‘right thing’ all the time. One of these days I will leave for lunch and just keep driving…(well, I’d like to…but my eye would twitch so bad from doing something ‘out of kilter’ that I wouldn’t be able to see to drive very far). I’m hopeless…I wonder where I might purchase some backbone!
12:45 – I went to the mall and did 4 laps for lunch…then came back and ate some whipped yogurt for lunch. Karen is gone to her lunch appt. so it is quiet…I caught up on all of my filing.
While I was walking at the mall…
The mall was pretty busy today, all of the usual ‘walkers’, and an assortment of odd folk.
1 – A boy-boy-girl trio of teenagers who I would bet money were skipping school today….very busy looking over their shoulders, paranoid to the 10th power.
2 – A woman with pastel pink hair (probably 60 – 65 years old…the woman…not the hair).
3 – A couple of ‘hippie wanna be’s’, long hair, jeans, t-shirts. They didn’t have a clue though…attitude was all wrong, and they were wearing shoes.
4 – A very scary woman with a small child on a leash. I concluded that the child wasn’t on the leash to keep it from wondering off…but to keep it from running away, screaming whenever it looked at mom.
5 – Lots of women wearing the new fashion craze ‘the booby sweater’. If you aren’t familiar with this piece of apparel…it is a small sweater, long sleeves, usually either knit or crochet, it hits the wearer just below the bra line. HINT: If your belly is bigger than your boobs…do not wear these…they make you look like an idiot.
6 – A large group of people from a group home. Most of them wandering aimlessly in circles while making indiscernible noises…or sitting in wheelchairs staring at the ceiling and batting at unseen assailants above them. This group gave me pause for a moment…and actually caused me to change my usual walking course today. Several weeks ago, a man in a group like this viciously attacked an 18 month old baby in a shopping cart at Wal-Mart…I gave them a wide berth.
7 – Abercrombie and Fitch have an interesting display out in front of their store…a male manikin with his ‘parts’ all but hanging out. THEY ARE CALLED PRIVATES FOR A REASON MORONS! As soon as I figure out where to purchase that backbone…I plan to cruise by and pull his pants up around his neck!
8 – Last, but not least…my trash can…if nothing else…it is consistent. It spoke to the man in front of me…but as I deposited my Sweet ‘n’ Low wrappers…it remained silent.
1:46 – Busy work…CRD/AE list for John…checks to post.
2:18 – Karen is back, John can’t decide if he wants to make the bank run or if he wants me to, Rick wants a trust account opened…with no trust papers…no can do.
3:11 – Checks are all posted, deposits prepared…John still can’t decide who is going
today (very frustrating). Cut off time for check requests is 3:00…so of course…I just got a ‘rush’ request…the broker forgot to give it to me on Friday and ALL DAY TODAY.
3:35 – Back from bank (John finally made up his mind). “Rush” check okayed and delivered to broker.
4:18 – All files locked up for the evening, candles extinguished, blah, blah, yada, yada.
4:20 – 10 more minutes until time to go…Home Sweet Home!!
Be Well!
8:30 – I started the day off right…tried to crease a confirmation and got a paper cut all the way along the side of my hand.
8:56 - it looks like a quiet day so far…kind of scary! Days that begin this way usually end up being fast and frantic! I hope that’s not the case today!
9:00 – There is a lively discussion about our Controller’s ex-husband…apparently, she and one of our other co-worker’s is planning to play some mind games with him. They tried to bring me into the plan…I refused. It isn’t that I don’t agree that the ex is acting like a jerk…but I grew up with divorced parents who couldn’t quit hacking each other to death. It isn’t the adults who suffer in these battles, it’s the children. In this case there is a sweet three year old involved…I won’t be a part of this. It isn’t a game. Grow the heck up!
9:36 – A client who has her accounts set up with her two daughters…as JTWROS…is requesting/demanding that we issue a check to her WITHOUT her daughters names on the check. She is requesting a sizable amount of money…but that is really irrelevant.
We cannot issue a check (of any size) to only one of the people on an account of that nature. The broker is asking me to do it anyway…I refused.
9:43 – The broker found a way around it…we will ACH the funds. Creative brokering.
9:50 – Marvin just called…the interview this morning went well…but the position hasn’t even been funded yet. It could be anywhere from two days to two months before they are ready to actually hire.
10:00 – My arm (tendonitis) is hurting like a !$@(%*^&! this morning. I just put my stupid brace on…fortunately I wore a ¾ length sleeve this morning, so the brace won’t show. It is really uncomfortable though. I know…gripe, gripe, gripe…at least I have both arms.
10:34 – Back from the post office. It is a light mail day. Just got an email from Karen…apparently her son is flying in to Mid Continent, at 12:45 and out again at 2:15…so she is taking a long lunch to go eat with him. She is off all next week too. I am the only one here who doesn’t take long lunches sporadically. I‘m getting really tired of being responsible and doing the ‘right thing’ all the time. One of these days I will leave for lunch and just keep driving…(well, I’d like to…but my eye would twitch so bad from doing something ‘out of kilter’ that I wouldn’t be able to see to drive very far). I’m hopeless…I wonder where I might purchase some backbone!
12:45 – I went to the mall and did 4 laps for lunch…then came back and ate some whipped yogurt for lunch. Karen is gone to her lunch appt. so it is quiet…I caught up on all of my filing.
While I was walking at the mall…
The mall was pretty busy today, all of the usual ‘walkers’, and an assortment of odd folk.
1 – A boy-boy-girl trio of teenagers who I would bet money were skipping school today….very busy looking over their shoulders, paranoid to the 10th power.
2 – A woman with pastel pink hair (probably 60 – 65 years old…the woman…not the hair).
3 – A couple of ‘hippie wanna be’s’, long hair, jeans, t-shirts. They didn’t have a clue though…attitude was all wrong, and they were wearing shoes.
4 – A very scary woman with a small child on a leash. I concluded that the child wasn’t on the leash to keep it from wondering off…but to keep it from running away, screaming whenever it looked at mom.
5 – Lots of women wearing the new fashion craze ‘the booby sweater’. If you aren’t familiar with this piece of apparel…it is a small sweater, long sleeves, usually either knit or crochet, it hits the wearer just below the bra line. HINT: If your belly is bigger than your boobs…do not wear these…they make you look like an idiot.
6 – A large group of people from a group home. Most of them wandering aimlessly in circles while making indiscernible noises…or sitting in wheelchairs staring at the ceiling and batting at unseen assailants above them. This group gave me pause for a moment…and actually caused me to change my usual walking course today. Several weeks ago, a man in a group like this viciously attacked an 18 month old baby in a shopping cart at Wal-Mart…I gave them a wide berth.
7 – Abercrombie and Fitch have an interesting display out in front of their store…a male manikin with his ‘parts’ all but hanging out. THEY ARE CALLED PRIVATES FOR A REASON MORONS! As soon as I figure out where to purchase that backbone…I plan to cruise by and pull his pants up around his neck!
8 – Last, but not least…my trash can…if nothing else…it is consistent. It spoke to the man in front of me…but as I deposited my Sweet ‘n’ Low wrappers…it remained silent.
1:46 – Busy work…CRD/AE list for John…checks to post.
2:18 – Karen is back, John can’t decide if he wants to make the bank run or if he wants me to, Rick wants a trust account opened…with no trust papers…no can do.
3:11 – Checks are all posted, deposits prepared…John still can’t decide who is going
today (very frustrating). Cut off time for check requests is 3:00…so of course…I just got a ‘rush’ request…the broker forgot to give it to me on Friday and ALL DAY TODAY.
3:35 – Back from bank (John finally made up his mind). “Rush” check okayed and delivered to broker.
4:18 – All files locked up for the evening, candles extinguished, blah, blah, yada, yada.
4:20 – 10 more minutes until time to go…Home Sweet Home!!
Be Well!
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Saturday...
Just a short blog tonight...I'm bushed! Sugar is an early riser...so we got up this morning at 6:30 or so. Watched a movie, checked email...fixed lunch, cleaned house a bit, started the dishwasher then took a shower and got ready to go for the day. We went to Bullet Stop about 2:30 or so and had target practice for a couple of hours...I thought I had lost the 'knack'...but, it turns out the sight on my gun was loose! I traded Marvin pistols...and was back in the zone! Although...I have to admit that he outshot me today (doesn't happen often)! Afterwards, we went to Shane's for a bit. He is doing much better! While we were there, Chas called to say that she had a backed up kitchen drain, so we went over to take a look.
The drain was indeed backed up...and...despite Marvin's best efforts...it is still clogged! He went to the hardware store and came back with a 'drain snake'...which got stuck in the pipe (after it took a wrong turn in the 'y' and went up instead of down). A couple more mishaps followed, including a leak...then Chas and I went to Walgreens to buy Drano. Hopefully, by morning the drain will be clear and the leak can be fixed and all will be well! We will see!
On the upside...Chas had spent the afternoon fixing potato/leek soup and it was delicious!!
Back home just before 10:00...and heading for bed soon!
Be Well!
The drain was indeed backed up...and...despite Marvin's best efforts...it is still clogged! He went to the hardware store and came back with a 'drain snake'...which got stuck in the pipe (after it took a wrong turn in the 'y' and went up instead of down). A couple more mishaps followed, including a leak...then Chas and I went to Walgreens to buy Drano. Hopefully, by morning the drain will be clear and the leak can be fixed and all will be well! We will see!
On the upside...Chas had spent the afternoon fixing potato/leek soup and it was delicious!!
Back home just before 10:00...and heading for bed soon!
Be Well!
Friday, March 10, 2006
Friday doldrums.....
I’ve been staring out the massive 7th story window for several minutes…my mind begins to wander. I imagine picking up my insufferable computer and hurling it through the glass. I watch as it meets the ground in an extremely satisfying explosion of parts. The morning breeze lifts my bangs gently as I step out onto the ledge…people are gathered below, eyes lifted skyward searching for the source of the debris in the parking lot! As they realize the pile of pieces was once a Dell…several point to me and begin to applaud, two of the older gentlemen snap to attention and salute. I smile, wave, and bow ever-so-slightly…holding onto the inside of the window frame with one hand.
Closing my eyes, I feel the warm spring breeze caress my face and a mixture of relief and euphoria wash over me. With my free hand, I remove my clothing, dropping it below. I watch as it drifts downward, settling gently on the pavement. Releasing my hold on the window, I step forward. The crowd is silent…shading their eyes from the sun as they crane their necks. Spreading my arms, I push off with the balls of my feet…a woman screams somewhere below me. The arms of the wind wrap around my body, lifting me slightly as I relax into its strength. Opening my eyes, I watch as the trees become smaller and the cars turn into toys. Turning my body slightly to the right, I circle around and head back toward the building. Birds chirp a friendly ‘hello’ to me as I soar past them. The crowd below watches in amazement as I swoop down within 6 feet of the ground and buzz through their midst. Smiling from ear to ear now…I decide to entertain them a bit more. Closing my eyes, I tuck my knees into my chest and turn summersaults across the sky. My body jars violently, and my eyes fly open…I have fallen out of my chair…thank heavens everyone else is at lunch.
Be Well!
Closing my eyes, I feel the warm spring breeze caress my face and a mixture of relief and euphoria wash over me. With my free hand, I remove my clothing, dropping it below. I watch as it drifts downward, settling gently on the pavement. Releasing my hold on the window, I step forward. The crowd is silent…shading their eyes from the sun as they crane their necks. Spreading my arms, I push off with the balls of my feet…a woman screams somewhere below me. The arms of the wind wrap around my body, lifting me slightly as I relax into its strength. Opening my eyes, I watch as the trees become smaller and the cars turn into toys. Turning my body slightly to the right, I circle around and head back toward the building. Birds chirp a friendly ‘hello’ to me as I soar past them. The crowd below watches in amazement as I swoop down within 6 feet of the ground and buzz through their midst. Smiling from ear to ear now…I decide to entertain them a bit more. Closing my eyes, I tuck my knees into my chest and turn summersaults across the sky. My body jars violently, and my eyes fly open…I have fallen out of my chair…thank heavens everyone else is at lunch.
Be Well!
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Wednesday...
Shane’s surgery is over with, and it went well! A bit more involved than we had anticipated…but well none-the-less! Marvin’s latest job prospects fell through yesterday, and we are reminding ourselves continually, that God is still in control and there are better things in the future.
Today is my birthday…I am 51. I suppose that I should be in some sort of depression about that…but there are other, more pressing things in our lives at this moment than vanity. On my 30th birthday, I realized that age is a state of mind anyway…we are as old as we feel…and we feel as old as we want to feel. I don’t feel old…so there!
The sun is shining and a warm wind is blowing…just a brief glimpse of the long anticipated, changing of the seasonal guard….I am looking forward to summer with every part of me, but, as with most good things in life…we have to go through some crap to get there. The next few weeks will most likely be full of severe storms, tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, property damage and destruction, injury, and perhaps even loss of life. Welcome to Kansas!
Sugar is staying with us until Shane is healed a bit more….I let her outside at 1:11 this morning, and as I stood there looking out the deck doors at the pool, watching it’s grey vinyl cover rise and fall with the wind…almost as if it were breathing…it occurred to me how we are encouraged/discouraged by so many little things in life. On those warm, summer nights, when I look out across the yard, I see a glistening pool of blue…a thousand stars shimmer on the surface, bouncing points of light against the house and even the walls inside. I return to bed, contented, relaxed and anticipating the morning. In contrast…during the winter…that ugly grey cover simply punctuates the utter desolation of nature, inflicted on the landscape by the ravages of winter. On those nights…I return to bed feeling tense, cold, and dreading the morning to come…which holds only the promise of bone chilling winds, freezing temperatures, and dreary skies. What fickle creatures we are.
Be Well!
Today is my birthday…I am 51. I suppose that I should be in some sort of depression about that…but there are other, more pressing things in our lives at this moment than vanity. On my 30th birthday, I realized that age is a state of mind anyway…we are as old as we feel…and we feel as old as we want to feel. I don’t feel old…so there!
The sun is shining and a warm wind is blowing…just a brief glimpse of the long anticipated, changing of the seasonal guard….I am looking forward to summer with every part of me, but, as with most good things in life…we have to go through some crap to get there. The next few weeks will most likely be full of severe storms, tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, property damage and destruction, injury, and perhaps even loss of life. Welcome to Kansas!
Sugar is staying with us until Shane is healed a bit more….I let her outside at 1:11 this morning, and as I stood there looking out the deck doors at the pool, watching it’s grey vinyl cover rise and fall with the wind…almost as if it were breathing…it occurred to me how we are encouraged/discouraged by so many little things in life. On those warm, summer nights, when I look out across the yard, I see a glistening pool of blue…a thousand stars shimmer on the surface, bouncing points of light against the house and even the walls inside. I return to bed, contented, relaxed and anticipating the morning. In contrast…during the winter…that ugly grey cover simply punctuates the utter desolation of nature, inflicted on the landscape by the ravages of winter. On those nights…I return to bed feeling tense, cold, and dreading the morning to come…which holds only the promise of bone chilling winds, freezing temperatures, and dreary skies. What fickle creatures we are.
Be Well!
Wednesday...
Shane’s surgery is over with, and it went well! A bit more involved than we had anticipated…but well none-the-less! Marvin’s latest job prospects fell through yesterday, and we are reminding ourselves continually, that God is still in control and there are better things in the future.
Today is my birthday…I am 51. I suppose that I should be in some sort of depression about that…but there are other, more pressing things in our lives at this moment than vanity. On my 30th birthday, I realized that age is a state of mind anyway…we are as old as we feel…and we feel as old as we want to feel. I don’t feel old…so there!
The sun is shining and a warm wind is blowing…just a brief glimpse of the long anticipated, changing of the seasonal guard….I am looking forward to summer with every part of me, but, as with most good things in life…we have to go through some crap to get there. The next few weeks will most likely be full of severe storms, tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, property damage and destruction, injury, and perhaps even loss of life. Welcome to Kansas!
Sugar is staying with us until Shane is healed a bit more….I let her outside at 1:11 this morning, and as I stood there looking out the deck doors at the pool, watching it’s grey vinyl cover rise and fall with the wind…almost as if it were breathing…it occurred to me how we are encouraged/discouraged by so many little things in life. On those warm, summer nights, when I look out across the yard, I see a glistening pool of blue…a thousand stars shimmer on the surface, bouncing points of light against the house and even the walls inside. I return to bed, contented, relaxed and anticipating the morning. In contrast…during the winter…that ugly grey cover simply punctuates the utter desolation of nature, inflicted on the landscape by the ravages of winter. On those nights…I return to bed feeling tense, cold, and dreading the morning to come…which holds only the promise of bone chilling winds, freezing temperatures, and dreary skies. What fickle creatures we are.
Be Well!
Today is my birthday…I am 51. I suppose that I should be in some sort of depression about that…but there are other, more pressing things in our lives at this moment than vanity. On my 30th birthday, I realized that age is a state of mind anyway…we are as old as we feel…and we feel as old as we want to feel. I don’t feel old…so there!
The sun is shining and a warm wind is blowing…just a brief glimpse of the long anticipated, changing of the seasonal guard….I am looking forward to summer with every part of me, but, as with most good things in life…we have to go through some crap to get there. The next few weeks will most likely be full of severe storms, tornadoes, hail, damaging winds, property damage and destruction, injury, and perhaps even loss of life. Welcome to Kansas!
Sugar is staying with us until Shane is healed a bit more….I let her outside at 1:11 this morning, and as I stood there looking out the deck doors at the pool, watching it’s grey vinyl cover rise and fall with the wind…almost as if it were breathing…it occurred to me how we are encouraged/discouraged by so many little things in life. On those warm, summer nights, when I look out across the yard, I see a glistening pool of blue…a thousand stars shimmer on the surface, bouncing points of light against the house and even the walls inside. I return to bed, contented, relaxed and anticipating the morning. In contrast…during the winter…that ugly grey cover simply punctuates the utter desolation of nature, inflicted on the landscape by the ravages of winter. On those nights…I return to bed feeling tense, cold, and dreading the morning to come…which holds only the promise of bone chilling winds, freezing temperatures, and dreary skies. What fickle creatures we are.
Be Well!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Keep on keepin on...
Normal still hasn't returned to our lives...there are job offers, and promises to call back...but not one of them has had the courtesy to follow through, even to say "never mind". So...we wait. It is much more difficult on my husband than it is on me...he is very frustrated. There isn't really anything that I can do to help him...except love him...which I do with all my heart. Better days are ahead!
Normal…
Goulash, cookie dough…
Mashed potatoes ‘tween my toes…
Where did all the ‘normal’ go?
Dogs that hop, cats that fly,
Two down low, one up high…
What is ‘normal’…by-the-by?
The sky is green, the grass is pink…
Water flows but none to drink…
Down the block the statues wink.
The days have turned into the night…
Peace doves walk, Snakes take flight…
The moon is checkered, the sun is white.
This is the ‘normal’, new to me…
It isn’t what it used to be…
That doesn’t mean it’s bad…you know…
We’ll wait and watch…and let it go.
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved
Normal…
Goulash, cookie dough…
Mashed potatoes ‘tween my toes…
Where did all the ‘normal’ go?
Dogs that hop, cats that fly,
Two down low, one up high…
What is ‘normal’…by-the-by?
The sky is green, the grass is pink…
Water flows but none to drink…
Down the block the statues wink.
The days have turned into the night…
Peace doves walk, Snakes take flight…
The moon is checkered, the sun is white.
This is the ‘normal’, new to me…
It isn’t what it used to be…
That doesn’t mean it’s bad…you know…
We’ll wait and watch…and let it go.
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved
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