Quilt Show
I worked on the committee for the Bloomington Quilters’ Guild quilt show that took place over the last two days. I am exhausted, but it was a lot of fun and the show was a success despite the crappy rain. I had two quilts in the show and bought some fabric for a steal at the treasure shop.
My crazy two weeks continues this coming week, and my foot hurts. I am rooting for Thanksgiving to hurry up.
Bloomington, fabric, quilts, work | Comment (0)Retirement
As of April 30, my dad will officially be retired after working for 37 years in the same position at the same library. I will never work for 37 years anywhere and I’m not even really sure if I’ve found the right career path. But I was able to take part in the festivities during a quick trip to Colorado and we all can’t wait to hear the fishing tales yet to come.
family, work | Comment (0)Thinking
Things I think about: food, coffee, being passionate about my work, quilts, fabric, Loki, Tim, classes, going back to school, work, work, work, am I eating enough fruit, going to the farmer’s market, Web 2.0, interns, photography, SPEA, The Commission for Sustainability, recycling, living green, whether I can see the New Pornographers in concert, being a good person, travel, friends, organic food, allergies, natural leave-in conditioner, exercise, switching to gmail, having a baby someday, paint colors, books, The Clash, religion, gardening, health care, family, whether I should get new highlights, crosswords, publicity, and politics.
In no particular order, and not meant to be inclusive or exclusive.
IU, Loki, School, books, crafts, family, food, friends, garden, misc, music, politics, quilts, sewing, travel, web, work | Comments (2)Spring Conference
Returned last night from a quick conference in Minneapolis. I did get a few good ideas (so identified in my notes), and was also able to see my extended library family, including my parents, my cousin and Ashley. Location was also working in my favor, as I got to see Newman, her bf and Buddy her ginormous golden retriever. My travel companions were also fun and I am still sleepy this morning. That’s what you get for catching the 6:30 am shuttle to the conference. This PLA was my dad’s last, and my first. Talk about passing the torch. Yikes!
Back home to rain and rain and rain. I may curl up and read all day, but I will have to head out at some point for groceries.
family, friends, travel, work | Comments (3)Doing What You Love
What would it take for you to actually do what you love…for a living? What forces would have to align? Would this actually be feasible? Would you still love doing whatever it is that hangs out in your dreams if you had to do it, for you know, money.
Why do so many of us work in jobs that we like, and are possibly even really good at, but are quite frankly, sort of soul sucking? And I don’t mean that I am woefully unhappy, there are many bright spots in every day. But generally….theoretically….not me in particular. Think if you can see yourself, doing what you do now, say 20 years from now?
On the bright side, actual fall weather is here and it is lovely!
work | Comment (0)We Got the Ax
It feels strange to have gotten a promotion and be moving on when I know that there won’t be anybody to fill my shoes. Sigh. I move on and my department gets the ax. Even so, I am very excited to be doing something different at the library and am ready for the change. I had to get re-fingerprinted this week and even have my new shiny badge, but no start date and no schedule. I guess I will just continue to report to my old office until they tell me otherwise.
I am very excited that Niko has joined the world in NY, and we are waiting for baby Lily in MO. Would love to go and visit and cook for the new families, but not sure I will have a chance to do so anytime soon. So I did what I could and made quilts.
I have another quick and easy baby quilt that is awaiting borders and quilting, and fabric on the way from the internets for another one. I have also finished up a little holiday knitting (already!) despite the missing double pointed size eight needles and almost running out of yarn. Now I just need to plan my halloween costume…
San Antonio, friends, work | Comment (0)Page Numbers
In the Why-Not deparment: What can I say? It was a slow morning, and I was the only person in the office. We found out yesterday that our department was being cut due to the city budget which makes it a little hard to be super motivated. So I spent about 15 minutes or so figuring out how many pages I’ve read so far this year. Yep. 8,113. And that doesn’t include the books that I’ve listened to on CD (another 3,431 pages), or the 100 or so pages that I am into my current book (Regeneration by Pat Barker…so good so far).
This weekend? Celebrating, tennis, and interview practice.
San Antonio, work | Comment (0)Morguers
In light of recent airport security, I am so glad I got in all my summer trips already. My trip last weekend to Detroit Rock City was fantastic. It was so nice to see Cyn and Suzy in person and get in some good laughs and memories. We shopped in Birmingham (MI), ate all middle eastern food, saw Canada from across the river, went to the Ribs -N- Soul festival (Where my ladies at??), met Johnny Knoxville, saw the Tigers win in outstanding fashion (Pudge 2 run homer in the bottom of the 9th), checked out Ford Field, drank in Plymouth and in general had a great time hanging out.
This week at work has been…um…interesting. Interesting, disappointing, sad and frustrating. But I’ve not been fired, and it isn’t the end of the world. I have been thinking though that it is funny that through times when you feel the most down, you can also have many moments of extreme hysteria and laughter. I’m not sure the staff at the coffee shop/bar down the street wants us back after some work people got together last night to “knit”, bitch and blow off steam. It was also a farewell get together for Becka. Have fun in Chicago…we hardly knew ye.
I can’t believe my birthday is next week!
San Antonio, crafts, friends, get togethers, travel, work | Comment (0)BIG News
Usually I write on this blog about quilts and books. Maybe some movies, or trips we’ve taken. I’ve written about things I’ve seen online, or funny observances. I used to write a lot about Loki (fyi: He is still the cutest cat in the world and does really silly and funny things. He can open our closed pantry door, likes to sleep on top of cabinets and misses grilled pork with the coffee spice rub).
Anyway, there are things that I don’t really write about here, and I’m not sure why. I am a pretty open person who finds it hard to keep a secret…so what’s the big deal? I don’t know. Maybe I’m afraid that I’ll jinx it. But on the other hand, it isn’t like I’ve told everyone that I regularly talk to. I have worries and fears, but am also relieved, excited and extremely happy that we are choosing a different path. It will be a big change, but I feel ready for something like that. Wow, it sounds like we are joining the peace corps or something (we’re not)…it starts with B and ends in ington. This time next year I hope to have my life here turned upside down.
I have also been reluctant to write about work, partly for practical purposes and partly because it would make for some boring reading. But, currently I am applying for a promotion at work, which is really scary! I have done the same job in my organization for 5 years now, and it is time for a change. 5 years is the longest I’ve ever worked anywhere! So far, I am going through two phases, one where I feel confident about what I’ve done at work so far, so therefore feel confident about the new position. And then the other phase where I can feel under prepared, critical about myself, nervous and barfy. Maybe I’ve just jinxed myself by actually WRITING about this new position and how much it would mean to me.
I have a few days until I am off to Detroit! I can’t wait!
Bloomington, work | Comment (0)Socket Error
I rarely blog about work, only one time in the past have I even really mentioned work (three days before Staff Development Day, 2005). I have no idea if there is a city directive banning blogging about work or not, but I’m sure there is some vague statement somewhere effectively covering the city if they wish take action (firing me). Not that I expect that the city manager is reading my blog, but several work people know my address and you never know who might be the mole (ha!). Anyway, I was on a committee and it was…hard. I keep thinking it is over, but then something else comes up.
So it is a good thing I am leaving tomorrow at the break of dawn for a few days in Colorado! Tim will be kicking it with Loki at home while I visit old friends, head to the mountains, catch a baseball game, get stuffed with mom’s baking and dad’s cooking, catch up with AJ and in general hang about in my childhood home. While I am gone, I will miss Tim’s birthday (Sunday!). I’m sure he will have a wild party.
When I come back I must get busy on some quilts!
San Antonio, family, travel, work | Comment (0)
