Farewell, Dear Friend

The world is a little less bright today. It lost one of it's sweetest occupants yesterday. My dear friend, Arlean, passed away after a lengthy illness. I was able to visit with her one last time about 24 hours before her death, and I am so glad I got to see her one more time. Although she could not really speak to me, I just wanted her to know how how much I love her and appreciate all of the kindness and love she has shown me, and my family, over the years. It was so good to look into those pretty blue eyes and touch those long slender fingers. Although age had ravaged her body, she never lost her beauty in my eyes.

Arlean's daughter, Trisha, was my very best friend from the time we were old enough to cross the street. We were pretty much "joined at the hip" until our early 20's. Then life happened. Although we don't communicate very often anymore, she will always be that best friend!!!! I spent hours and hours with Trisha and her family. Her brothers became MY brothers. Arlean and Bill were so good to me. They took me on family camping trips, jaunts to the Hill Air Force Base swimming pool in the summer, shopping and included me in many family activities. I even got to know their cousins. Arlean called me JoNanny--the only person that has ever done so. Even after I married and left the nest, Arlean NEVER forgot to send me a birthday card. She has been a wonderful friend and neighbor to my parents, as well. They will surely miss her.

After her husband, Bill, passed away over 20 years ago, we were all very concerned about her. But she fooled us all! She got a job as a "foodie" (passing out samples in stores) and became a Jazz fanatic. I believe she had season tickets, and she never missed other events involving the team. I heard stories about her taking her grandson, Benjamin, to those games with her.

I didn't get to see her very often, but every now and then I'd run into her at a store handing out samples. She always had a big hug and words of love to share with me. She was just one of those people that always made you feel like a million bucks.

So farewell, dear friend. I hope you know how much your family and many friends love and miss you.

A Day of Accomplishments

I haven't washed my car for months and months. What's the point? I've been parking it in the driveway, or on the street, for about 10 or 11 months now. I'm happy to report that my car will soon know the luxury of having a bath, for it now has a place to sleep at night.

After PM left, I moved all of the belongings he left behind into "my half" of the garage or in the storage unit. I thought it would be a matter of days, or maybe weeks, until he came to retrieve his things. Boy, was I wrong!!! In the few conversations I had with him shortly after he left, I asked, begged and demanded that he come get them. I guess he had other ideas....

Spring turned into summer, summer turned into fall, and fall into winter, and my car was still on the street. It was almost a relief not having to back up the hill after it snowed, but I sure got sick of scraping windows. In December, I had PM served with an eviction notice, but to no avail. So after the 30 days was up, I started getting his things out of the garage. I then emptied the storage unit into the vacated space. I was finally able to find a home for most of the furniture, but there was still enough left that I could still not get my car into the garage.

Well today it all changed. I took the day off and the boys helped me rearrange things in the garage (and also encouraged me to get rid of more junk) so I can actually pull into the garage. It was a lot of hard work, but there were a few lighter moments. There were two large cabinets I asked them to move into the basement. My house is full of funny angles, and the entry from the garage into the house is one of those places. They ended up having to take the cabinets past the water heater and over the top of the washer to get it into the proper room. I didn't realize I had such talented contortionists living under my roof. When they lifted the second cabinet up off of the garage floor, Daniel had the honor of disturbing the skeleton of a mouse (he called it a rat, although I was convinced it was a small dinosaur). He was NOT pleased. We spent several hours moving things, sweeping, vacuuming and rearranging. I put a couple of old bikes out on the street with a "FREE" sign. A little girl just came to the door and asked if she and her sisters could have them. Hallelujah! And this afternoon, I have a nice place of repose for my car. I'm doing a happy dance, I'll tell you what!!!! So, tomorrow after work, I believe I'll head for the carwash! It's about time.

I had another nice surprise--well nice for me, anyway. My dear daughter called to ask advice about her cold and how she could help herself feel better. She had been to the doctor because she has a trip coming up and she doesn't want to be sick when she goes. As it turns out, she did not have anything that's treatable with antibiotics. He did give her a prescription for codeine (even though she's not coughing???????). I'm still shaking my head over that one. I made a few suggestions, one of which was rest. She was dreading going home for several reasons, so I suggested she come out here and rest. I made her hot honey and lemon, and we spent a couple of hours watching a movie together. She was actually feeling a little better by the time she left. I never seem to get enough Katie time.....so I was glad she came--sick or not.

So, I used a day of precious vacation time doing something a little less than relaxing. But what a relief to have it done and to be able to park in my garage for the first time in nearly a year. Definitely a day of accomplishments, thanks to my fabulous sons!

Take This Job And.......Love It!

The current downturn in the economy seems to be touching nearly everyone. I have not been immune. Although nothing has happened yet (and maybe nothing will), I am looking at the possibility of having my hours reduced at both of my jobs. I suppose there's a possibility I could even be RIF'd. I don't believe it will come to that. But contemplating these things has made me a little more appreciative of my jobs. I'm going to list some reasons I love my jobs:

1. I live in very close proximity to both jobs, especially my primary job at the prison. It takes me 5 to 10 minutes to get to work. I can run home and do a load of laundry on my lunch hour if I like. I'm so glad I'm not a commuter.

2. I love my schedule. I work four 10-hour days at the prison. That gives me a three-day weekend every week. Of course, being the workaholic I am, I use the weekend to work the second loved job. However, someday I would love to be able to keep those weekends to myself, accomplishing large projects at home, or perhaps taking little trips. Gotta' keep that hope alive!

3. I love my fellow employees in both locations. I have made some enduring friendships in both locations. Many of them have become almost like family. I actually even socialize with some of them. I go to movies, dinner and lunch with Jodie and Tamara. Nadia and I go to water aerobics together. We've created a group called "Bored of Education" (yes I know it's ironic that this grammatically incorrect title was created by educators). We get together every couple of months and go to dinner. Anyway, you see what I mean. My life would be a little less full without these friends.

4. My job at the prison is interesting and different every day. I never lack for stories to tell. I interview inmates every day. Some of them are a bit frustrating to deal with, but most are respectful and cooperative. They come from all over the country, and even the world. This is a very diverse population, and it's interesting to hear their stories, their accents, their EXCUSES, their whining, and their appreciation for what you do for them. Yesterday, a potential student came in and sat down. He started to talk before I looked up. I thought for sure that when I raised my eyes, I would see a man with a worn plaid flannel shirt, a coonskin cap and a huntin' rifle in his hands. His hillbilly accent was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. But he was so very courteous. On the other hand, a student came to my office last week and wanted me to do something I could not do. I told him to go back to his teacher. He argued with me a bit, but I stood my ground. Well, I learned later that he thinks I'm "grumpy." Ya, I'll bet that's what he called me! haha This job has really opened my eyes to a side of life I hardly knew existed 10 years ago. It certainly makes you appreciate your own problems.

5. I love the fact that I really feel invested in what I do. I believe in what I'm doing. I think it's important to educate this segment of the population, if we want to hope that they will ever become productive members of our society. It's too bad our funding is being cut year after year. There are some out there that feel they don't deserve a second chance. What a shame!

6. I have a lot of fun chatting with people at my "other" job at the recreation center. It's amazing what a smile and hello will do. People who would otherwise blaze right past you, stop and chat. I have shared a lot of laughter, and even some tears, with these folks. I especially enjoy the elderly folks that come in. I so admire their dedication to maintaining their strength as they age.

7. I love the fact that I am self-sufficient. These jobs make that possible, of course. There have been times in my life when I really didn't have any confidence in myself, nor my abilities. But both of these jobs have pushed me into my "discomfort" zone and helped me develop skills that I would not otherwise have. I have learned to really enjoy people--all sorts of people. I have become less judgmental of those who make mistakes. "But for the grace of God, there go I......." I try to remember that every day. I've learned to have empathy without having sympathy.

Those are just a few of the reasons I love my jobs and hope to hang onto them for a long time. Yes, I have bad days in both places, but they are far and few between. And I feel lucky to really like what I do...................

Happy weekend, ya'll.