A long, long overdue post

Our operating system here at work crashed and that pretty much shuts us all down for working. Luckily, the internet is still up and running and I am so due for giving an update.

The son whom we shall call Ryan and the daughter in law to be whom we shall call Kara had their Stag and Doe last weekend. This is only the second one I’ve ever been to. Way back when I got married they didn’t have them and since my youngest is only getting around to getting married and there is no one on the horizon for my oldest son, they just aren’t something I go too. I buy tickets to some of the younger women at work, but I don’t actually go to them.

It was a fascinating thing to attend. Ryan, or so we are calling him, plays rugby or at least he did until he got sidelined due to concussions and a ruptured appendix. So many of his rugby buddies were there. He warned us in advance they were a strange group. And it turned out he was right when towards the end of the evening they all started taking off their shirts. And not long after that some took off their pants too!! Now you would think that would prove irresistible – a group of young men in their 20’s stripped down to almost the very basics. And it might have except for one thing. Most of them were pudgy!! Really, there were love handles and muffin tops abound. One would think rugby players would be in very fine shape, I mean they are athletes after all, playing a very rough sport. So I was very surprised indeed at the shape of them. I kept looking and looking and looking and looking and looking for some six packs, but I didn’t see one. Ryan keeps himself in very good shape and he may have qualified, but he kept his clothes all on. Though he did say at one time in his life he would have been one stripped down. But it seems marriage has matured him. Thank you to the one we will call Kara!

One game they had that stood out among the many was kind of funny though. The accountant son we are calling Ryan wore one of those barkless dog collars around his arm. For paying a certain amount of money, attendees were allowed to press the button and watch him jump. They tried it out before hand and he said it didn’t hurt, but it did make him react a bit. The fiancé we are calling Kara was in charge of the buzzer, so as to protect him from drunken almost naked pudgy rugby players – for the most part. I think they did pay an awful lot to ‘buzz’ him, but Kara had ultimate control. I tried it once. Goodness knows he needed one jolt from his Mama for all the stress he caused over the years, but mother love won out and while I did press the button, I didn’t or couldn’t press it hard enough to make him jump. But it was quite amusing to watch him jump and issue a small yelp at any given time throughout the evening.

I’ve really become fond of the fiancé we shall call Kara’s mother. I don’t know how to tell other people who they are though. I’ve been trying and trying to figure out what to say. My future daughter in laws parents just seems like such a mouthful.

Sorry for the delay. They managed to fix our system so I was forced to work again. Speaking of work, there are big changes in my work like – BIG changes. For almost a year now – minus the 3 months I was off due to the broken leg, I’ve been filling in for a maternity leave. The other person, the new mom we shall call Rebecca is due back July 15 and the plan was I was going to go back to my old position. But the one we are calling Rebecca came in a few weeks ago to visit and talk to HR about her return date and that kind of stuff. The Supportive Care department is located at the back end of the office so we were the last ones she stopped to see. She was telling us she had been asking everyone if anyone was interested in job sharing as besides her new baby, she has 3 more at home. She loves being a mom and what with having all those kidlets to look after, she only wanted to work part time. A job share was perfect as she would know what days she would be working every day. I had thought about doing job sharing a few years ago but while a number of nurses do it, no Client Service Assistants had (that’s my official title) and I never really did much except think it would be nice.

Well just a few days before Rebecca came in Ryan was explaining my financial situation. Apparently it’s pretty good. When Rebecca said she’d had no luck finding someone, everything just clicked in my mind and I said I would be very interested. I had a number of things to check into first such as benefits and can I still pay into the excellent pension plan etc, etc. But after talking things over with Ryan, it seems things will be fine. I said yes to Rebecca. This way I get to stay in Supportive Care, a department I love working in, I can fill in on occasion in the Access department, the one I came from and also enjoyed. As I slowly started telling fellow employees what Rebecca and I were doing, they started asking what I was going to do with my spare time. Again things clicked into place. Ever since Ron died, I’ve really had the urge, even dare I say it, the calling, to help others going through what we did. More specifically, I’ve wanted to be like an advocate for care givers. I could help them in whatever way they needed it, whether someone to talk to, do shopping for, navigate the system since I work right in the system who better, and any other ways I can be of assistance. But I’m older now and too tired to go out at night. Not to mention I don’t want to lose reading and reality TV time – I’m really having a riot tweeting while watching The Voice, SYTYCD, Game of Thrones etc. And I’m too selfish to want to do it on weekends. So while I had the very strong desire to do this, I did have the convenient time. But now with 2 extra days off one week and three the next, I will have time now. And I’m so excited about this new path opening up.

And I don’t know if I’ve actually come out and made it official, but I’m headed to the RWA conference again this year. Alas, Wendy and I won’t be rooming together this year as she is The SuperLibrarian and RWA has recognized this and she is the Librarian of the Year. But Nath and I are going to be roomies. We roomed together last year at RT so I’m really looking forward to seeing her again. As well I’m totally pumped about meeting up with other fellow bloggers. Wendy and I have both commented that even though we only see each other once a year, it’s almost like I just saw her a couple of weeks ago. We romance readers have such a strong bond. And I mean that for both readers and authors since I’m thinking pretty much every author was a reader first.

While I seem to be scarce here in blogland these days, I have been very active on Twitter. You can ‘specially find me there on Sunday nights blogging about Game of Thrones or on Tuesday nights where I’ve been watching/twittering on The Voice. That Adam Levine should win as hottest judge of a reality show! And then of course on Wednesday’s it’s So You Think You Can Dance. Since I got the IPad I’ve been spending more time playing and reading on it.

So, that’s what’s up with me. I keep writing reviews on the slow times at work and emailing them home, but it’s the next step of putting them on the blog where we seem to be having the log jam.

Anyway – that’s what’s going on in my world. I’m hoping I see some of you in a couple of weeks.

More work-ish kinda stuff

A bit of background for anyone new here. I work at a place that arranges home care. It's too long a story to tell - but I've been there going on five years. For most of that time I worked in what is called the Access department, where all new referrals come to. I love the department, but last summer a job opening became available covering for a maternity leave. Here in Canada, mat leaves are for a year - one area we so have it going on over you guys in the US - but that's an issue for another day.

This job was in the Supportive Care department where unfortunately for most, it's the end of life and what we offer them most is palliative care. I've been drawn to this area because of my own life circumstances. I was ready for a change when the job came up; it was a department I wanted to try working in and my existing job would be there at the end of my co-workers mat leave - a Win/Win.

Less than a month later I fell on my basement steps breaking my legs in two places resulting in a most interesting month long stay in the hospital and a two and a half month absence from work myself.

{This is exactly what I broke and what they did by the way - is it cool or what?}

But I'm back full time and really enjoying working in the Supportive Care department. But as you can imagine, there are some sad times and sad stories. I fell part of what I offer the team is comic relief. This is some examples of what I mean. Take it away!! And yes - I do include the pictures.

From: J, Kristie
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 10:09 AM
To: My Current Team
Subject: Thought for the day

So – I was watching TV last night – American Idol I do believe, when a commercial came on and I got to thinking. It was the commercial for Mini Wheats and the little Mini Wheat people are all happy and relaxing and even singing in a bowl of hot milk. They seem very mellow and totally enjoying the fact that they have discovered the wonders of hot milk. But they are so sadly obvious to the fact that their little lives are very soon to be dramatically cut short. Because looming in the background are people. Hungry people. People that have spoons in their hands and plan to eat up those happy little Mini Wheat people.

Just thought I’d share where my mind sometimes goes

Kristie J

Client Services Assistant

SUPPORTIVE CARE TEAM


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And here is another way I made my team wonder what kind of oddity they are working with. We have, as a group, entered a trivia contest fund raiser coming up soon and this is some communication concerning it:

From: N, Kimberley
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 3:51 PM
To: J, Kristie
Subject: RE: UPDATE - Trivia Night Event

Yes…thanks Goodness…I on the other hand rely heavily on Tequila!

Kim N RN

From: J, Kristie
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 3:44 PM
To: My Current Team
Subject: RE: UPDATE - Trivia Night Event

LOL – if you aren’t a winner yourself, the next best thing would be me winning that HUGE basket of wine. I can’t drink wine anymore so should I be the lucky winner, I’d have to give it all away. You would think I would have learned when I could no longer drink gin for the same reason…….or rye…….or rum……..

Thank goodness I still have beer and coolers

Kristie J

Client Services Assistant

SUPPORTIVE CARE TEAM

From: N, Kimberley
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 2:41 PM
To: The Team
Subject: UPDATE - Trivia Night Event

Hi Group;

Confirmation today from the event co-ord, our registration is confirmed and table reserved.

Our team name is : CARE PALLS

There will be a registration table at the event. The first member of our team to arrive can pick up our envelope under our team name, which includes question sheets, door prize tickets, sponsor information, etc. A table at the event will have our team name on it, we can all gather there.

Alcoholic(beer, wine & coolers) and non-alcoholic drinks are available for purchase. Snacks on our table and intermission food (sandwiches, desserts) are included in the price of the event.

There will be silent auction items and a contest to win a HUGE basket of wines... bring some cash!

Sounds like fun!

Reminder

Date: Sat. Feb. 26

Time: 6:30pm

Location: Somewhere in the city

Kim Nichols RN

(as a footnote - anyone who spent time with me at RWA a couple of years ago will get the wine reference)
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I went to a Jewellery Party a couple of weeks ago where I learned that wearing multi-necklace strands was all in style. I've been a bit of a bling-aholic lately so I've been having a grand time wearing it all now that I know I can. My fellow Client Service Assistant on the team noticed and I kind of preened when I noticed I had entirely forgot earrings!!!!! I had matching watch, bracelet and multiple strands on necklaces but Oh Noes - naked ears. A little later I could tell my coworker - I shall call her Rebecca - was stressing out. We have an in-office IM system so I IM'ed her out of the blue:

Kristie

Thank GOODNESS I had an emergency pair of earrings on hand is all I can say!!

11:58 AM Rebecca

Did you have to break the glass??

11:58 AM Kristie

Of course - they don't match what I'm wearing - but at least it's something!

11:59 AM Rebecca

You can't have everything!!!

11:59 AM Kristie

No - I think I had them here from before I started using the little earpiece and had to remove them because they are the stump post kinds and I kept hurting the back of my ear when I answered the phone, SLAMMING the metal post into my head hurts!!

12:01 PM Rebecca

It is hard to type when you are laughing so hard.

**************************************************

Although I'm not in the Access department at this time, I'm still on the team email list and get the emails that are sent to the team. This one came today and while it really has nothing to do with me in my current department, I thought I'd answer anyway:

Well, Deborah, I hate to be known as the joy killer – though I know I have developed that somewhat unfair reputation through the years, but I kind of put in for those days first. I put in my request two weeks ago. And since despite my attempts to rectify the situation, on the reception board I’m still listed as working in Access, being the destroyer of dreams that I am, I have the sad task of tell you that your S.O.L!

Unless of course you agree to shovel my driveway for the rest of the winter. I would consider reconsidering if you were to agree to that. And lucky you, it’s really more just my front porch and little walkway to the house as one of my neighbours has been plowing my sidewalk and driveway for me. So I’d say it’s a good deal for you – the two days you want for just some shoveling for the next couple of months.

Kristie J

Client Services Assistant

SUPPORTIVE CARE TEAM

From: E, Deborah
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2011 2:13 PM
To: My Former Team

Subject: Vacation for February 18 and 22/11

Hi team

I would like to take February 18 and 22/11 off. Please let me know if this causes any conflicts within the team for other vacation times. Thanks : )

Deborah E

Client Services Assistant - Access Department

*****************************************************************

You know - there are many, many days I really like going to work

Stuff

Well - I jumped in the deep end. I just signed up to attend RomCon. I booked time of work, I booked a flight and reserved a room. The only thing left to do is arrange for transportation to the Detroit airport. It's short - only 3 days - but there are a lot of people going I'd love to meet and see.

And I'll try my new plans on the book signing and see how it works out *g*.

*~*~*~*~*

I heard from Chapters last night. My Kobo shipped!! I'm having it sent to the store since they want someone to sign for it and there's no one here during the day to do that. Brent doesn't move in until *heavy sigh* Sunday.
Now I have a new learning curve to try and tackle. *gulp* Hopefully they will call either tomorrow or Friday to say it's arrived.

*~*~*~*~*

Brent's moving in on Sunday - or Monday - I think. This should prove very interesting. A (air quote) Draaaama King air quote and a (air quote) Draaaaama Queen (air quote) living in the same house. If nothing else, I should have some interesting stories to tell. The only salvation for us out dramatizing each other is he works a lot of afternoons.

*~*~*~*~*

I lost a tooth yesterday. That was most odd. A number of years ago now, I decided it would be good to put chocolate chips in rice pudding - a nice change from raisins. I love crunchies in my food - as long as they are edible crunchies that is. I bit down to hard and cracked a tooth. I had to have a root canal - which actually went surprising well - didn't feel a thing - except they used my chest as an instrument table - and I drooled the whole time. After that I had to have a crown put on. Ron's dental plan only covered half the price of the crown and I ended up paying over $500!!! All for a @&^%#!*& chocolate chip!!

Well, a couple of months ago, the crown fell off. And the dental plan I have doesn't cover any bit of crowns! It used to, but it seems we gave it up to get a higher pay raise. The pay raise doesn't look quite so good now. All I had left was a stump of a tooth. I kept meaning to go back to the dentist - but since I'm a great procrastinator, put it off. Well, I was brushing my teeth just before work yesterday and the stump fell out. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm willing to bet that the dentist isn't going to be very happy with me.

Luckily though - since I had a root canal, I didn't feel any pain whatsoever when it fell out. But now there's a large gap where my tooth stump used to be.

The trials - and joys - of life

I'm not sure, but I'd be willing to bet that we all have 'that certain appliance' that gives us fits. The one appliance that drives us crazy and we have to replace more than all others combined.
With me, it's vacuum cleaners. I don't know why it is, but they don't see to like me and quit me more than any other electrical appliance. I think in the past 35 some odd years that I grew up and moved out of my mommy and daddy's house, I've had at least 10 of the suckers. My latest purchase was about a month ago.

When I came home with it and had my son Brent, the one who is displacing my library, put it together, because if it was up to me to put together it would still be in the box, and as I vacuumed for the first time using it, it was like I had new carpet. Since the old one - that only lasted 4 years - gave up it's life, my carpet was looking pretty bad.

I tried vacuuming the other day during my once a week cleaning and damned it the power header bar thing or more commonly known as the 'rotating brush' wouldn't turn.

Now I've had that happen to me before when loose threads got sucked up and then that horrid burning smell. But when I unplugged it and turned it upside down, none of them had got sucked in and no nasty smell. But I turned it on and off, took it apart as far as I felt comfortable doing and still no beating header bars. I put the little one on - the little one for upholstery cleaning, and it worked fine. But do you know how long it would take to vacuum the living room and hall carpet using the little upholstery vacuum thing? More time than I was willing to spend that's for sure!

When Brent came over the other day, I had him look at it; figuring I could blame him since he was the one to put it together in the first time. Being a dutiful son whose main goal in life is to be a good son, yet drive his mama crazy at the same time, he spent a good hour trying to figure it out and came to the conclusion that the 'rotating brush' wasn't supposed to 'rotate'. But that didn't make sense to me as I was pretty sure it was busy whirling before. And one reason why he drives me bonkers. Added to that was the fact that it wasn't sucking anything up.

But today I just couldn't stand the carpet anymore. It was covered in little bits of stuff and it was FLAT. I suppose I could have got down on my knees and pick up the little bits by hand, but the carpet would still be flat.

So I got it out again, sat down in front of it ready to do battle and studied it for a while. During this pre-battle warm up I noticed there was a foot pedal that you push depending on if you are vacuuming a carpeted floor or a non carpeted floor. Now I had kind of noticed that before and was dutifully pushing with my foot and nothing seemed to happen. But this time I pushed it down harder with my hand. And low and behold something moved.

With my breath held in excitement and my fingers crossed for luck, I turned it on and......voila! The 'rotating brush' was madly rotating around and as I started pushing the vacuum, STUFF WAS BEING VACUUMED UP!! I quite happily vacuumed the living room - twice! And now I can see foot prints again 'cause it's no longer flat and I don't have anymore little dark specs .
It's amazing sometimes how the oddest things can make up happy.



What I really want to get though, is one of those round vacuums that vacuum while you're away. I love the thought of it freaking out the cats - specially Destructo Cat. I'd love to get back at her! Maybe when this one bites the dust. And it will - I know that, I'll see about getting one.