Terry Pratchett quote of the week

It is in the nature of things that those who save the world from certain destruction often don't get hugely rewarded because, since the certain destruction does not take place, people are uncertain about how certain it may have been and are, therefore, somewhat tight when it comes to handing out anything more substantial than praise.
~~The Last Hero by Terry Pratchett

The party's over

Chai for breakfast
leisurely morning at home
bread and milk for Frances
wearing my pretty new shirt
Milanos for a birthday treat
cards, gifts and birthday wishes from my wonderful coworkers
busy ref shift
an E hug
pouring rain
out to dinner (yum)
Advisory Board meetings for Josh and I
chocolate birthday cake (double yum)
boo to Carlos for not giving me that home run
nighty night

Venting

I guess I should have blogged earlier when the steam was coming out of my ears (or perhaps my nostrils), but I guess I gave enough people an earful that I got over it. Sort of. Its almost not my business, but it is, at least marginally, my problem since it affects how I feel about my job. At least some days.
Okay, I've said enough for now. Gotta go knit off some stress and watch the rest of the game.

Lily who?

While I do know a Lily or two, its not a name I come across very often. But when I read Whales on Stilts and realized that Lily was the main character, something clicked. There's Lily Kane, Veronica Mars' best friend, and Lily Moscowitz, best buddy of Princess Mia in the Princess Diaries I've been listening to. And I have the nagging sense that there was another Lily recently as well. Where have they all come from?

I'm supposed to be packing

Honestly, I have no time to blog right now, but here I am. We are heading down to Pennsylvania to pick up Elizabeth and then to West Virginia to hang out for the weekend. I'm looking forward to it, hoping I can focus on the fun stuff. I don't like sleeping in a strange bed, or feeling like I have to make every minute count. I just want to relax...and not think about the messes I'll come back to. Okay that I live in, but just that they will still be here. Boy am I rambling. Must need to ingest more caffeine. Anyhow, I am looking forward to an enjoyable weekend with my family. Who could ask for anything more?
Off to finish packing and hit the road. Bye now.

Repeat after me...I am an addict

I am an addict. Why can't I do something once, have fun, and then let it go for a while. No. Not me. If I listen to one Princess Diaries on CD, I have to listen to them all. And the whole thing as fast as possible. Then there's Veronica Mars. I practically beg to get my hands on the next disc. And fresh delicious bagels...How can I eat just one? A game of Spider? Must keep playing till I've played an even number, or have a win streak, or make up some excuse here. I am an addict. But why can't I get addicted to vegetables, or exercise, for cripes sake?

Interesting patron question

So I had an older gentleman yesterday ask me about WiFi. He said he had a laptop and his son gave him a little box to stick in it (for wireless), but the question was this: why would I need/want to use it? I explained the concept of wireless, i.e., not having to plug your computer into a network. And I gave him the flyer we have with the info on setting up the wireless card for our network. He's using dialup at home, so I told him this would be faster if he wanted to do a lot of stuff online. I explained how it made his PC portable, so he could take a meeting at Panera, say. And mentioned how college kids like taking their work with them, outside or wherever. He looked very thoughtful, gave me the flyer back, thanked me, and went off with a rather bemused expression.
Another satisfied customer.

This quote resonates for me today

"The sole cause of all human misery is the inability of people to sit quietly in their rooms."
- Blaise Pascal

My current reading queue, in no particular order

Final account: an Inspector Banks mystery by Peter Robinson
Fool moon: Dresden Files Book 2 by Jim Butcher
The tiger in the attic: memories of the Kindertransport by Edith Milton
Kicked, bitten, and scratched: life and lessons at the World's Premier School for Exotic Animal Trainers by Amy Sutherland
Princess in pink (Book on CD) by Meg Cabot
Talk to the Hand: The Utter Bloody Rudeness of the World Today, or Six Good Reasons to Stay Home and Bolt the Door by Lynne Truss
PostSecret : Extraordinary confessions from ordinary lives by Frank Warren
You've got to read this book! : 55 people tell the story of the book that changed their life
A girl's guide to vampires by Katie MacAlister
New moon: a novel by Stephenie Meyer

Woo Hoo

I had 42 people at my Travelogue today. I feel so much better now.

I'm in over my head

Dear Diary,
It started out so innocently; taking a little old lady to doctor's appointments. I didn't need any emotional involvement. But now here I am; pharmacy aide, chauffeur, shopping assistant, sounding board. I can't tell if I'm too gullible (are her daughter's really that horrible?) or is she really just being devious so I'll come running whenever she needs help(i.e. daily), or doesn't want to be lonely. I don't want to resent her, but I do feel very sorry for her. (Are her daughters really that horrible? Or did she do something horrible to make her deserve the way they treat her?) Am I just paranoid now too, because I feel helpless? And why oh why do I let this anxiety fill me and spill over into everything I do?

I'm feeling frustrated

I had to cancel my first program of the "fall season". And even though I know its not my fault I feel like I'm doing something wrong. Its especially discouraging when some of the other libraries think that 30 people is a low turnout for a program, and to me that's a great showing! I wish I knew what was really expected of me. And that I didn't feel my job is superfluous. But I know it is, as I suspect that Webster residents could live just fine without library programs. In fact, most of them do!

Feeling Unsettled

I can't explain it, but I just feel kind of ansty these days. I can't stick with anything productive long enough to finish it.

Back to school, Part 2

So we filled out the forms, did the haircut, prepped the uniform, backpack, and lunch bag; And Josh went back to school yesterday. Today it almost seemed normal again. No fuss, no muss. But it still feels like the end of summer (it is) and I'm not sure I'm ready for it. Especially since I will have fewer excuses for going in to work late, or for staying away from classes at the pool. But it was fun to get the news about school at dinner. A few new teachers, and a lot of the "same olds". Today will be the beginning of the magazine drive...(magazines or renewals, anyone?), and another boatload of paper to deal with. The biggest surprise is that I did not in fact book a program the same night as curriculum night at school, so I won't have to miss the meet the teachers thing. I know its weird, but I love going to school for a night. It makes the teacher stories so much more vivid if you know who they are.
I'm still fighting the feelings that come with him being the youngest. I mean its 8th grade already, but he's my baby, right? So I still struggle to let go a little more each day. I've got to admit its easier when he steps in and acts responsible too. The problem is that I have to be responsible and parental as well. We'll get there...together.

True Confessions

I beat my children...at miniature golf.
My husband beat me...ditto.
I had ice cream and spoiled my lunch. (Okay I made it my lunch.)
I finally slept through the night last night (7 solid hours, maybe even a little more). And I felt great when I woke up. I can't remember the last time that happened.
I don't feel guilty about wasting time this weekend. I'm enjoying it immensely.
I'm learning to screen calls with my caller ID. And not feel bad about ignoring some.
No more blogging...today.

Rainy Saturday

I just want to mention how wonderful it was to have a rainy Saturday with no place to go. I loved being able to sleep in, lounge around, eat whenever, do the laundry in between chapters of a book, and generally just hang out. I could use another one already. (Or at least a Sunday afternoon nap).

Missing you, and you, and you, too

We've spent an entire week at the library without the wonderful young people who worked with us all summer. I miss looking over at the circ desk and seeing my daughter just enjoying her job. (You could see it on her face.) But the surprising thing is how much I've missed some other people's kids too. I know I'll get used to new people and personalities, but its not the same as having the ones I've come to know and love. And yes, I know they are in a better place (ok, maybe not better), learning new things and enjoying their friends, and their independence. And some of them (Elizabeth, Dorothy, Sarah & maybe even Melissa) will go on to be real librarians and enjoy library life forever. But I still am selfish enough to wish they were still here. I know their spirits hover around because I hear the laughter sometimes.

BTW, I had a wonderful discussion with Arlene today about how much she loved working with my daughter, and that gave me warm fuzzies too.

The Pennsylvania Report

We had a fun time on the weekend heading down to Longwood Gardens. Its quite a cool place if you like gardens and fountains and stuff (and especially photographing same). But for being very large and very well known, there was precious little signage to help you find the place. And like almost everything else in PA it was in the middle of nowhere. But we saw some fun things on the way there, especially since we took the "scenic route". There were the requisite corn fields and dairy farms, but who knew that mushroom farms abound in southern PA? We also saw an amusing group of middle aged men floating down a river on neon colored inner tubes, and a group of deaf motorcyclists signing to one another. There are several small college towns which reminded me very much of my trip to West Virginia last year. (In fact I had several instances of deja vu on the long winding roads.) We crossed the border to Delaware, because it was there, and had lunch and an ice cream at Brusters. And we went to Longwood Gardens. They finish the day with a lighted fountain show that was pretty impressive. And the fact that the rain held off all day was even moreso.
It was a sad thing on Sunday to say goodbye to Elizabeth, but easier knowing that we will see her again in October (hopefully). And since my family had just bought me a whole bunch of new clothes at the outlet store I couldn't cry too much.

Back to school - part one

Okay so now its really time to admit that the summer is just about over. We are heading to Reading to take Elizabeth back to school, and then Josh heads back in another 10 days. The little bit of maudlin thinking is creeping in, but I don't have time for it as I still have to pack my stuff. .. (In the few inches of space left in the car.) It seems like I've been to busy to even think lately, but I can't quite put my finger on what I've been busy with. Maybe too many books or dvds. Nah. Probably just my lack of organization makes me feel busier than I am. And when the time for doing fun things with friends has been squandered by lack of planning, well, I guess I feel a little sad. But we do have a fun family weekend planned, even if it includes the sad bit of saying goodbye. So I guess I should get started and make the best of it.

Survivor: Mom style

4 adolescent males age 13-14
5 hours
Volume set on Loud
Eating machines
Star Wars RPG
Everything's a weapon

But the fact that I'm writing this now shows that I not only survived, but thrived. I lived to tell the tale. I even got a laugh or two from my own lame jokes. I am Mom. I will survive!