OK, I thought that after that last camping trip they constant strain of "I'm so busy" would fade and I would be free to do a post every day. Not that I believed I would have enough material to write something every day, just that I would have time to do so if I so chose.
The thing is, I don't. I'm working a string of 11-12 hour days this week, plus probably working on Saturday. The project is due Friday, but there's no way it's getting done by then. Understaffing a project for the first 5 weeks doesn't lend itself to meeting deadlines. Also, changing the requirements the week it is due doesn't help, either.
Anyway, I'm off to work now, I'll have to tell you about this terrific book I just finished later.
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work. Show all posts
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Fail
The good news is, my results came yesterday.
The bad news is, as you can tell, I didn't pass. I scored a 130 out of a possible 294. The cutoff score was 153. I'm feeling pretty miserable about it, and I didn't sleep well last night. I was looking forward to it so much because I thought I had passed. Now I get to swallow my pride and tell people that I didn't pass. With a 45% passing rate, I'm not sure how I expected to pass on my first try, anyway.
This is the first time in my life I've ever completely failed a test.
I'll just be over there, having a pity party. You're all invited!
The bad news is, as you can tell, I didn't pass. I scored a 130 out of a possible 294. The cutoff score was 153. I'm feeling pretty miserable about it, and I didn't sleep well last night. I was looking forward to it so much because I thought I had passed. Now I get to swallow my pride and tell people that I didn't pass. With a 45% passing rate, I'm not sure how I expected to pass on my first try, anyway.
This is the first time in my life I've ever completely failed a test.
I'll just be over there, having a pity party. You're all invited!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Things I learned from my boss
Over the past week, I caught myself thinking that this job was a waste of time, on the grounds that I was learning nothing from my boss. Then I realized my fallacy. Learning is in the mind of the student, not the quality of the teacher. Also, as the sign on my cubicle wall says, "If you can't be a good example, you'll just have to be a horrible warning." And, as always, ::insert trite saying here::. My point is, I MUST be learning, even learning good, important things, even with a senile boss. So here's my list of what I have learned so far, since he became my boss in August. Mostly, it's how to manage a department and conduct yourself in a business situation. Actually, it's mostly disguised complaining. At least I took the trouble to disguise it this time, though! In no particular order, I have learned:
1. If you want your employees to respect you, speak clearly. Do not mumble. Do not make your direct reports stand around while you mumble into your (unorganized) paperwork. See also numbers 3 and 6.
2. Moderate the amount of information you provide based on the skill level of the employee. Know your direct reports well enough to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Challenge them, yes, but do not overwhelm a lower level employee with more background information than they can handle. See also numbers 5 and 6.
3. Be organized!* Keep your desk and space moderately tidy. Know where your paperwork is. Do not lose items your direct reports have turned in. Do not keep people waiting by your desk while you hunt through your paperwork because you don't know where an item is. Do not ask people to reprint items just because you lost them. See also number 7.
4. Discipline your direct reports when you are calm and level headed. If you are not feeling calm, give yourself a breather before calling them aside. Never accuse someone of causing your anger, even if they did, as it will make you sound abusive. Do not shake your finger in their face, nor threaten to fire them, as this will sour their attitude toward you and make them work inefficiently on purpose. See also numbers 7 and 10.
5. Know the job titles and duties of your direct reports. If you are unsure, never threaten to discipline someone by taking away a future promotion. You may become the office joke. See also number 4 and number 8.
6. Be concise. While giving directions, be clear, but limit yourself to describing the instructions at hand. Only repeat the instructions when it is clear they were not understood. Do not tell stories. Do not provide overwhelming information. Do not interrupt their work except to give directions. See also number 2.
7. Be prepared.* By preparing your work for your direct reports before meeting with them, you will be better able to convey clear directions. You will also make your directional meetings more efficient, therefore saving the firm's money. See also number 9.
8. Make appointments with members of other departments. If you walk in and interrupt their meetings to demand information or to pull one of your direct reports from the meeting, they will be annoyed. They will also make you the butt of their jokes. See also number 1, which may cause further laughter damage.
9. Save paper, money and the environment by reading your emails on the computer.* It is more efficient to read emails on the computer than it is to print then read. Also, you will save a lot of trees and file space by not keeping copies of all emails. See also number 3.
10. Keep your mind organized.* By thinking clearly, you will avoid repeating yourself, mumbling, and ineffient instructions. You will also guard yourself against people thinking you are senile or stupid. It helps if you think before you speak. See also numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
*Technically, these are items I am already good at. I am simply stating them here because I did not previously recognize their full value, nor the damage the lack of these skills would have on my professional status.
1. If you want your employees to respect you, speak clearly. Do not mumble. Do not make your direct reports stand around while you mumble into your (unorganized) paperwork. See also numbers 3 and 6.
2. Moderate the amount of information you provide based on the skill level of the employee. Know your direct reports well enough to understand their strengths and weaknesses. Challenge them, yes, but do not overwhelm a lower level employee with more background information than they can handle. See also numbers 5 and 6.
3. Be organized!* Keep your desk and space moderately tidy. Know where your paperwork is. Do not lose items your direct reports have turned in. Do not keep people waiting by your desk while you hunt through your paperwork because you don't know where an item is. Do not ask people to reprint items just because you lost them. See also number 7.
4. Discipline your direct reports when you are calm and level headed. If you are not feeling calm, give yourself a breather before calling them aside. Never accuse someone of causing your anger, even if they did, as it will make you sound abusive. Do not shake your finger in their face, nor threaten to fire them, as this will sour their attitude toward you and make them work inefficiently on purpose. See also numbers 7 and 10.
5. Know the job titles and duties of your direct reports. If you are unsure, never threaten to discipline someone by taking away a future promotion. You may become the office joke. See also number 4 and number 8.
6. Be concise. While giving directions, be clear, but limit yourself to describing the instructions at hand. Only repeat the instructions when it is clear they were not understood. Do not tell stories. Do not provide overwhelming information. Do not interrupt their work except to give directions. See also number 2.
7. Be prepared.* By preparing your work for your direct reports before meeting with them, you will be better able to convey clear directions. You will also make your directional meetings more efficient, therefore saving the firm's money. See also number 9.
8. Make appointments with members of other departments. If you walk in and interrupt their meetings to demand information or to pull one of your direct reports from the meeting, they will be annoyed. They will also make you the butt of their jokes. See also number 1, which may cause further laughter damage.
9. Save paper, money and the environment by reading your emails on the computer.* It is more efficient to read emails on the computer than it is to print then read. Also, you will save a lot of trees and file space by not keeping copies of all emails. See also number 3.
10. Keep your mind organized.* By thinking clearly, you will avoid repeating yourself, mumbling, and ineffient instructions. You will also guard yourself against people thinking you are senile or stupid. It helps if you think before you speak. See also numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
*Technically, these are items I am already good at. I am simply stating them here because I did not previously recognize their full value, nor the damage the lack of these skills would have on my professional status.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Oops
I have no excuses for not posting this time. None.
Thursday, at scouts, we had a investiture/reinvestiture ceremony. The girls picked a poem and read it, SO CUTE! I tried to teach them the announcements song, but I guess it's too hard at that age without prompting. I told them I would never prompt them to stick to it, so I'll have to stick to it. In the meantime, they didn't pick up their cue during the ceremony. Maybe when they have the big girls setting an example it will work out.
I came home afterwards exhausted, with terribly sinus pressure, and fell asleep on the couch. That's really abnormal for me. I might be getting sick, or just dealing with allergies for the first time in years. It's been almost 8 years since I was in the bay area for winter. I don't think the heaters are agreeing with me.
Friday we got bonuses at work... mine was $100 minus taxes. If you don't get a christmas present from us this year, you know why. I hang my hopes on my boss giving me a raise during my performance review, which should be coming up within the next 2 weeks. I'll let you know how that goes >.>;
Today I had a "review class" for the LEED accredidation exam. It was a very LOOOOOONG boring class, but I did learn a few things at least. However, by the end of the class, I had decided not to take the exam at this time. The company paid for the review materials and gave them to me, so I can study them any old time. However, my department head pointed out that my study time would be better spent on the CSE. I agree, and not just because my credit card is too maxed out to pay for the exam.
I really do need to start studying for the oral exam. I'll spend 2-3 hours tomorrow putting together a review schedule. Hopefully I can manage 20 hours studying per week for the next 2 months, ramping up to 30 hours/week in February and 40 in March. My department head said I can probably take a little time off to study for the exam, so I will take advantage of that near crunch time.
WIR: Squire. 'Nuff said.
Thursday, at scouts, we had a investiture/reinvestiture ceremony. The girls picked a poem and read it, SO CUTE! I tried to teach them the announcements song, but I guess it's too hard at that age without prompting. I told them I would never prompt them to stick to it, so I'll have to stick to it. In the meantime, they didn't pick up their cue during the ceremony. Maybe when they have the big girls setting an example it will work out.
I came home afterwards exhausted, with terribly sinus pressure, and fell asleep on the couch. That's really abnormal for me. I might be getting sick, or just dealing with allergies for the first time in years. It's been almost 8 years since I was in the bay area for winter. I don't think the heaters are agreeing with me.
Friday we got bonuses at work... mine was $100 minus taxes. If you don't get a christmas present from us this year, you know why. I hang my hopes on my boss giving me a raise during my performance review, which should be coming up within the next 2 weeks. I'll let you know how that goes >.>;
Today I had a "review class" for the LEED accredidation exam. It was a very LOOOOOONG boring class, but I did learn a few things at least. However, by the end of the class, I had decided not to take the exam at this time. The company paid for the review materials and gave them to me, so I can study them any old time. However, my department head pointed out that my study time would be better spent on the CSE. I agree, and not just because my credit card is too maxed out to pay for the exam.
I really do need to start studying for the oral exam. I'll spend 2-3 hours tomorrow putting together a review schedule. Hopefully I can manage 20 hours studying per week for the next 2 months, ramping up to 30 hours/week in February and 40 in March. My department head said I can probably take a little time off to study for the exam, so I will take advantage of that near crunch time.
WIR: Squire. 'Nuff said.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Nothing to see here, move along
I have SUCH a boring life. I do nothing but work, read and play video games, apparently. Yesterday I did all three.
At the moment I'm working on getting an addendum out, which means coordinating the efforts of the consultants and getting my changes drafted up. It's taking 100% of my time, though for some reason, my department head thinks I could do it in "the two hours from 5pm to 7pm, after you've worked your regular 8 hours." I don't know what he thinks I will work on in those 8 hours, since my direct supervisor seems not to understand my job. At least he's got my job title right now. That's right, he's no longer offering me a promotion to my own job. At least the addendum is something I already know how to do, and can take the reigns on without requesting any help from my boss. However, it's taken me 17 hours so far this week to get it to the point where it can be issued today. It needs to be ready by 8:30. I still have to work in the structural changes, so I'm going in to work at 7 this morning. I guess they are even further behind than I am.
After work, I gave a coworker a ride home, then played FFXI. Dragon and I farmed mistletoe for 3 hours. We made about 170k gil, and split it evenly. That more the doubles the amount of gil I had, although I think I'm probably still short for leveling sch and getting more gobbiebags. I wonder if I can squeeze in more farming in addition to baking a pumpkin pie tonight.
Our family has a potluck tradition at all major gatherings. For Thanksgiving, my personal contribution since graduation has been a can of cranberry sauce and turning my mother's can of Libby's into a pie. This year, I bought my own can of Libby's and plan to make my own crust, too. The last crust turned out pretty good, even if the filling wasn't.
WIR: First Test ... and I am thinking about rereading Terrier after, instead of Golden Compass. I'm bad, I know. I bet I'm probably avoiding that book for a reason. If only I could remember what it is.
At the moment I'm working on getting an addendum out, which means coordinating the efforts of the consultants and getting my changes drafted up. It's taking 100% of my time, though for some reason, my department head thinks I could do it in "the two hours from 5pm to 7pm, after you've worked your regular 8 hours." I don't know what he thinks I will work on in those 8 hours, since my direct supervisor seems not to understand my job. At least he's got my job title right now. That's right, he's no longer offering me a promotion to my own job. At least the addendum is something I already know how to do, and can take the reigns on without requesting any help from my boss. However, it's taken me 17 hours so far this week to get it to the point where it can be issued today. It needs to be ready by 8:30. I still have to work in the structural changes, so I'm going in to work at 7 this morning. I guess they are even further behind than I am.
After work, I gave a coworker a ride home, then played FFXI. Dragon and I farmed mistletoe for 3 hours. We made about 170k gil, and split it evenly. That more the doubles the amount of gil I had, although I think I'm probably still short for leveling sch and getting more gobbiebags. I wonder if I can squeeze in more farming in addition to baking a pumpkin pie tonight.
Our family has a potluck tradition at all major gatherings. For Thanksgiving, my personal contribution since graduation has been a can of cranberry sauce and turning my mother's can of Libby's into a pie. This year, I bought my own can of Libby's and plan to make my own crust, too. The last crust turned out pretty good, even if the filling wasn't.
WIR: First Test ... and I am thinking about rereading Terrier after, instead of Golden Compass. I'm bad, I know. I bet I'm probably avoiding that book for a reason. If only I could remember what it is.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Work
I'm doing nothing but work this week, it seems. The big project that I wrote about on Monday didn't go out yesterday as planned. I worked 14 hours on Monday, but by Tuesday afternoon it was clear that it wouldn't be perfect. My department head, the one who caused this by holding the project on his desk for 3 weeks, said he'll call in a favor and get us a postponement until today. I wish he'd said that before I worked last Sunday. On the other hand, I asked him if everyone from my level and down in the department could take Friday off. That's just 3 of us, but we only have a department of 7. He agreed, saying that we'd earned a day off.
I love having a week day off work. There's something about being off work when I ought to be there that makes the day automatically pleasant. It doesn't matter what I am doing, at that point, just as long as I'm doing it while everyone else has to go in to the office. In this case, I plan to play some Spyro for a while and then finish leveling my whm. I want to get whm to 75 this weekend. The WoTG expansion comes out next Tuesday, and I would like to be free to level sch. Also, I have this theory that whm will become even less desirable once people start getting dnc and sch to the 70s. It's hard enough to get a party for whm as it is, but it'll be harder when there are more mage options to choose from. I'd just as soon finish up before it's impossible to get a party. I figure everyone will be out meritting like mad this weekend, so it should be a good weekend to /inv. The camps will all be packed, but that's a risk I'm willing to take. Not caring about overcrowding has nothing to do with the fact that I won't be bard and therefore not pulling. Of course not!
WIR: Still reading The White City. I'm on the part now where the fair has just ended and their finally thinking about catching the serial killer. I'll finish that, The Grey King, and Birth House this weekend, I hope. It depends how long I spend playing Spyro and FFXI.
I love having a week day off work. There's something about being off work when I ought to be there that makes the day automatically pleasant. It doesn't matter what I am doing, at that point, just as long as I'm doing it while everyone else has to go in to the office. In this case, I plan to play some Spyro for a while and then finish leveling my whm. I want to get whm to 75 this weekend. The WoTG expansion comes out next Tuesday, and I would like to be free to level sch. Also, I have this theory that whm will become even less desirable once people start getting dnc and sch to the 70s. It's hard enough to get a party for whm as it is, but it'll be harder when there are more mage options to choose from. I'd just as soon finish up before it's impossible to get a party. I figure everyone will be out meritting like mad this weekend, so it should be a good weekend to /inv. The camps will all be packed, but that's a risk I'm willing to take. Not caring about overcrowding has nothing to do with the fact that I won't be bard and therefore not pulling. Of course not!
WIR: Still reading The White City. I'm on the part now where the fair has just ended and their finally thinking about catching the serial killer. I'll finish that, The Grey King, and Birth House this weekend, I hope. It depends how long I spend playing Spyro and FFXI.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Fortunately, Unfortunately
Unfortunately, I've been at work for 3 and a half hours, and it's only 10:30am.
Fortunately, my department head praised the work I did yesterday. Woot, I don't have to do it over!
Unfortunately, I'm currently redoing the work we did Friday.
Fortunately, our main (only) drafter in the department worked 0n his laptop over the weekend, so we actually have a good starting point.
Unfortunately, when he works without supervision, he generally doesn't do a good job. So I spent a good hour redmarking his drawings. Let's see if he'll listen this time.
Fortunately, based on the comments from the department head, I was able to develop a checklist for work that still needs to be completed.
Unfortunately, the list is 12 items long.
Fortunately, I like checklists.
Unfortunately, this is still due tomorrow morning by 10am, including coloring in photoshop.
Fortunately, I don't have any plans tonight that I'll have to cancel.
Unfortunately, I still haven't finished the story of my trip to Portland.
Fortunately, noone reads this blog, so I'm not disappointing anyone!
WIR: Still The White City. I'm a little more than halfway. I keep stopping to read bits of The Grey King. I will finish both these books before starting another. I will!
Fortunately, my department head praised the work I did yesterday. Woot, I don't have to do it over!
Unfortunately, I'm currently redoing the work we did Friday.
Fortunately, our main (only) drafter in the department worked 0n his laptop over the weekend, so we actually have a good starting point.
Unfortunately, when he works without supervision, he generally doesn't do a good job. So I spent a good hour redmarking his drawings. Let's see if he'll listen this time.
Fortunately, based on the comments from the department head, I was able to develop a checklist for work that still needs to be completed.
Unfortunately, the list is 12 items long.
Fortunately, I like checklists.
Unfortunately, this is still due tomorrow morning by 10am, including coloring in photoshop.
Fortunately, I don't have any plans tonight that I'll have to cancel.
Unfortunately, I still haven't finished the story of my trip to Portland.
Fortunately, noone reads this blog, so I'm not disappointing anyone!
WIR: Still The White City. I'm a little more than halfway. I keep stopping to read bits of The Grey King. I will finish both these books before starting another. I will!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Midday Feminist Work Rant
What is it about some men that gives them the power to make me doubt myself? I don't get it. In general, I'm a pretty confident person, who strongly believes in herself. Sometimes, though, I present an idea, expecting them to follow my lead, and walk away doubting myself . Just now, for example, I went to discuss an issue with a subconsultant, who should answer to me, as an architect. His response was that what I was saying couldn't possibly be true, and he argued with me for 10 minutes. Even though I had gotten the information from a trusted source, his response, his insistence that he was right, was enough to make me wonder if I was wrong. I recently got in a bit of trouble for arguing with this man, so I just walked away from the argument, but I knew I was right; I have back-up research to prove it. I hate, hate, HATE having to ask my boss or department head to solve this kind of issue for me! Why can't I just be confident enough to insist on my answer being correct?
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
The Boss Man
I'm a quick person. Everything about me is fast. I walk fast, I talk fast, I do my work fast, I think fast. I get frustrated with people who cannot think fast. Normally, this doesn't matter. Despite what my husband will say, I do manage to hide my frustrations sometimes, especially at work.
Just when I thought things were getting better between my boss and me, they actually got worse. For a variety of reasons, he lost any respect I may have had for him within the first 2 weeks he was my boss. I mean, c'mon, he can't even remember my job title. At least twice he's threatened to take away a promotion to my OWN job, on the grounds that I am lower level than that. For the record, I do have a promotion coming up, but he doesn't have a say in it. Also, it's a promotion to Project Architect, not a promotion to my current level.
Among other things, he's the slowest person I have ever met. When I'm stressed, I speed up even more than normal; today I was stressed about a deadline I needed to meet at noon. When he took 10 minutes to answer a 1 minute response ("Go ask someone else, I don't know.) I got frustrated and rude. I'm not normally rude to my bosses. It's a bad idea to piss off someone who will evaluate you. On the other hand, I don't want to work the way he does. 10 minutes to answer that he doesn't know the answer is extremely excessive and a waste of both our time.
In response to my rudeness, he hauled me off to the conference room for a "discussion" of our conflict. The discussion turned out to be him yelling at me for being snippy. Ok, ok, I was being snippy. To quote Alanna "If you are going to be rude, do it for a reason and only if it will get you the right results." Unfortunately, these were not the results I wanted. He spent about 20 minutes yelling, including multiple threats to fire me and shaking his finger in my face. (In my face! Really!) Actually, he does not have the ability to fire me. In addition, when I talked to the HR manager, which is the first place I went afterward, it turns out they are actually pleased with my work. Good to know. The HR manager sent me for a walk. Then she talked to both my boss and the department manager.
Anyway, I don't feel the conflict is resolved, but I'm glad I talked to HR about it. This isn't the first time he's had a "private discussion" with me, and I'm sure it won't be the last. At least this way it is being recorded.
Just when I thought things were getting better between my boss and me, they actually got worse. For a variety of reasons, he lost any respect I may have had for him within the first 2 weeks he was my boss. I mean, c'mon, he can't even remember my job title. At least twice he's threatened to take away a promotion to my OWN job, on the grounds that I am lower level than that. For the record, I do have a promotion coming up, but he doesn't have a say in it. Also, it's a promotion to Project Architect, not a promotion to my current level.
Among other things, he's the slowest person I have ever met. When I'm stressed, I speed up even more than normal; today I was stressed about a deadline I needed to meet at noon. When he took 10 minutes to answer a 1 minute response ("Go ask someone else, I don't know.) I got frustrated and rude. I'm not normally rude to my bosses. It's a bad idea to piss off someone who will evaluate you. On the other hand, I don't want to work the way he does. 10 minutes to answer that he doesn't know the answer is extremely excessive and a waste of both our time.
In response to my rudeness, he hauled me off to the conference room for a "discussion" of our conflict. The discussion turned out to be him yelling at me for being snippy. Ok, ok, I was being snippy. To quote Alanna "If you are going to be rude, do it for a reason and only if it will get you the right results." Unfortunately, these were not the results I wanted. He spent about 20 minutes yelling, including multiple threats to fire me and shaking his finger in my face. (In my face! Really!) Actually, he does not have the ability to fire me. In addition, when I talked to the HR manager, which is the first place I went afterward, it turns out they are actually pleased with my work. Good to know. The HR manager sent me for a walk. Then she talked to both my boss and the department manager.
Anyway, I don't feel the conflict is resolved, but I'm glad I talked to HR about it. This isn't the first time he's had a "private discussion" with me, and I'm sure it won't be the last. At least this way it is being recorded.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Work, Cars and other fun stuff
This is going to be a short post. I got my car back from the dealership in plenty of time to make it to my troop meeting. The price was pretty high - $250 seems steep for a 90k mile tune-up, but perhaps I'm just not used to Bay Area prices yet. Getting to and from the mechanic went quite smoothly; I hope tomorrow's expedition to the dealership goes just as well. I still can't decide if I am hoping for a rental or not. I'd rather not put more miles on my car, but I don't like the idea of having to pay extra for a car that guzzles gas. I'm sure a hybrid is NOT on their list of basic rentals.
I turned in the review I did on my boss today. The department head asked me to put in a few employee specific comments, promised not to show it to the person I reviewed, and complimented me on the inclusion of solutions to the problems I pointed out. He was startled to read that the boss specifically tells people not to take lunch; I don't think the manager realized that mr. boss man actually breaks the labor laws when he feels like it.
In other news, our Haloween candy seems to be multiplying. We're out of mini 3 musketeers bars, but we've now added Smarties and something labeled assorted to our pile. If we don't get some trick or treaters, we'll both contract diabetes!
What I'm reading now: The Grey King. Greenwitch picked up about halfway through, though I still felt dissasociated from the story. I've only just started The Grey King, but I already like it a lot more.
Short post tonight, I'm heading out to Improv class.
I turned in the review I did on my boss today. The department head asked me to put in a few employee specific comments, promised not to show it to the person I reviewed, and complimented me on the inclusion of solutions to the problems I pointed out. He was startled to read that the boss specifically tells people not to take lunch; I don't think the manager realized that mr. boss man actually breaks the labor laws when he feels like it.
In other news, our Haloween candy seems to be multiplying. We're out of mini 3 musketeers bars, but we've now added Smarties and something labeled assorted to our pile. If we don't get some trick or treaters, we'll both contract diabetes!
What I'm reading now: The Grey King. Greenwitch picked up about halfway through, though I still felt dissasociated from the story. I've only just started The Grey King, but I already like it a lot more.
Short post tonight, I'm heading out to Improv class.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Friday at last!
Not much happened today. Well, the administrative assistant in my department was fired for lying on her employment application. Turns out she was a convicted felon. I wonder what she did! She only lasted 4 days, but technically, she was fired yesterday. Yesterday was also our third brownie meeting. The girls made smores over a propane stove. Nothing like that smell of propane to roast those marshmellows! I also let them try lighting a match each, after a short lecture on matches and safety. Third graders playing with matches. Woohoo! Again, that was yesterday. Today was boring!
Tomorrow will be nice and boring too, since all I'll be doing is cleaning the house and getting my tires rotated. My sister is coming over on Sunday to shop for and subsequently wrap gifts for our new nephew and our father, and I want her to think I keep a nice clean house. Plus, this way I will already have the house clean when I leave for Portland. I'm quite looking forward to this trip. It's weird, but I actually like long road trips with my husband. I hear plenty of people say "Oh, I could never take that kind of trip, I'd go crazy!" I like it, though. It seems that we do our best chatting when I am half asleep and he's driving. I do have to buff up on the news for the next few days, or we'll end up complaining about the president again. Not that there's anything wrong with complaining about the president, but it will get old if we have to do it for 9 hours. Send me any outrageous news articles you can!
You know, I think I will have to take up skydiving or something! This is quite possibly the most boring post in the history of the blogosphere!
Tomorrow will be nice and boring too, since all I'll be doing is cleaning the house and getting my tires rotated. My sister is coming over on Sunday to shop for and subsequently wrap gifts for our new nephew and our father, and I want her to think I keep a nice clean house. Plus, this way I will already have the house clean when I leave for Portland. I'm quite looking forward to this trip. It's weird, but I actually like long road trips with my husband. I hear plenty of people say "Oh, I could never take that kind of trip, I'd go crazy!" I like it, though. It seems that we do our best chatting when I am half asleep and he's driving. I do have to buff up on the news for the next few days, or we'll end up complaining about the president again. Not that there's anything wrong with complaining about the president, but it will get old if we have to do it for 9 hours. Send me any outrageous news articles you can!
You know, I think I will have to take up skydiving or something! This is quite possibly the most boring post in the history of the blogosphere!
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