Don't
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Thursday, April 17, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Retirement can be a curse!
We are in our fourth year of retirement. It has been heaven from the beginning. We've done a little traveling, remodeled the kitchen, built a stone patio, built a barn (that could probably be a house!), had two weddings - our son and daughter 2 years apart, became grandparents to the most wonderful little girl, and basically done whatever we've wanted to do.
The curse? Well, I'll give you the perfect example. Today I did my income tax for my Creative Memories business. I did the whole year in one day. It has been a boulder on my back for the past few weeks, but I just couldn't seem to get to it. I never touched my paper work all year. You see, there is always tomorrow when you are retired. Maybe the software for Storybook Creator arrived and it would be more fun to play with that. Or there could be a Law & Order marathon to watch. Sometimes Jay will think we need to take a trip to Syracuse and how can I say no to AC Moore, Michael's, and Wegman's?
Most people have heard the saying: Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Our retirement motto is: Put it off until tomorrow and do something more fun today.
I am promising myself that I am going to get on my paper work so I am not in this spot next April. I will catch up on January, February, and March. Then I'll keep up each month so my income tax is ready January 1st. There are a few things I need to do before I get to it, though.
I have a bunch of pictures I need to print. So, after I do those...........................
The curse? Well, I'll give you the perfect example. Today I did my income tax for my Creative Memories business. I did the whole year in one day. It has been a boulder on my back for the past few weeks, but I just couldn't seem to get to it. I never touched my paper work all year. You see, there is always tomorrow when you are retired. Maybe the software for Storybook Creator arrived and it would be more fun to play with that. Or there could be a Law & Order marathon to watch. Sometimes Jay will think we need to take a trip to Syracuse and how can I say no to AC Moore, Michael's, and Wegman's?
Most people have heard the saying: Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Our retirement motto is: Put it off until tomorrow and do something more fun today.
I am promising myself that I am going to get on my paper work so I am not in this spot next April. I will catch up on January, February, and March. Then I'll keep up each month so my income tax is ready January 1st. There are a few things I need to do before I get to it, though.
I have a bunch of pictures I need to print. So, after I do those...........................
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Anna Baby
The new love of my life is my granddaughter, Anna, who is the most precious little girl. I do believe we have a special bond. I was there when she was born and took her first picture! When she was 18 hours old, she was taken to an NICU facility 45 miles away. She spent 16 days there and I didn't miss one. I got to spend a lot of time with her and our daughter there.
Our daughter quit her job and was going back to school to become a teacher. When she went for testing and an interview, she was asked to consider occupational therapy. We encouraged her to do that and her husband was very supportive. This program will take her a year more than education because of under graduate courses she needs. So, we are babysitting 2-3 days a week to help out. This summer she is taking a course that is every day. We will have Anna 5 days a week all of June and July. I am in heaven!
The most wonderful feeling is walking into the house and seeing her smile when she sees me. She is only 5 months old, but I know she knows who we are and that is worth more than money. Of course we are putty in her hands and she knows that. Anna and I have a special song - Grandma's made-up verses to "Rubber Ducky". When I sing "Anna Baby" she lights up.
Tomorrow is a babysitting day and I can't wait!
Our daughter quit her job and was going back to school to become a teacher. When she went for testing and an interview, she was asked to consider occupational therapy. We encouraged her to do that and her husband was very supportive. This program will take her a year more than education because of under graduate courses she needs. So, we are babysitting 2-3 days a week to help out. This summer she is taking a course that is every day. We will have Anna 5 days a week all of June and July. I am in heaven!
The most wonderful feeling is walking into the house and seeing her smile when she sees me. She is only 5 months old, but I know she knows who we are and that is worth more than money. Of course we are putty in her hands and she knows that. Anna and I have a special song - Grandma's made-up verses to "Rubber Ducky". When I sing "Anna Baby" she lights up.
Tomorrow is a babysitting day and I can't wait!
Shame on me!
It's been almost a year since I've written anything. I know how much good it does to unload and unleash feelings. I should have been writing all along, but life side-tracked me. Hope I am better!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Dynamic Leader
I read a challenge to blog about words.
The words "dynamic leader" crossed my path this week in reference to the new superintendent at our school. When I saw this, I was upset as I am in disagreement with a lot of what she is doing and how she is handling things. That was when I thought dyanmic leader meant something good. I have been doing a lot of thinking about this, especially after attending the annual budget hearing the other night. I asked questions that weren't answered - she just did not answer them. There was no presentation of the budget or talk about money. We heard about all the programs she's adding and all the wonderful changes she's making. She is a leader - the head of the school. She is dynamic - forceful; characterized by change and activity. So, she is a dynamic leader by definition. Dynamic leader does not have a positive connotation to me now.
In my thinking, I know I have been comparing her to the newly-retired superintendent who led our school for 15 years. He was not the most popular man with the teachers as they were sometimes told no, and teachers don't take no for an answer well. (I can say this because I was a teacher for 33 years, lived education, and saw it all.) But, he was a fair man. He did what was best for all. He didn't "play games". He didn't favor anyone. He was unassuming and just did his job.
I've decided a good leader is like a good ref. You should be able to watch a ball game without the ref being a focal point of the game. You know he is there. He has control. He makes it work. He is almost invisible.
Our former superintendent was a good ref. He was a real leader.
The words "dynamic leader" crossed my path this week in reference to the new superintendent at our school. When I saw this, I was upset as I am in disagreement with a lot of what she is doing and how she is handling things. That was when I thought dyanmic leader meant something good. I have been doing a lot of thinking about this, especially after attending the annual budget hearing the other night. I asked questions that weren't answered - she just did not answer them. There was no presentation of the budget or talk about money. We heard about all the programs she's adding and all the wonderful changes she's making. She is a leader - the head of the school. She is dynamic - forceful; characterized by change and activity. So, she is a dynamic leader by definition. Dynamic leader does not have a positive connotation to me now.
In my thinking, I know I have been comparing her to the newly-retired superintendent who led our school for 15 years. He was not the most popular man with the teachers as they were sometimes told no, and teachers don't take no for an answer well. (I can say this because I was a teacher for 33 years, lived education, and saw it all.) But, he was a fair man. He did what was best for all. He didn't "play games". He didn't favor anyone. He was unassuming and just did his job.
I've decided a good leader is like a good ref. You should be able to watch a ball game without the ref being a focal point of the game. You know he is there. He has control. He makes it work. He is almost invisible.
Our former superintendent was a good ref. He was a real leader.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Smarties to the Rescue
I spent yesterday scrapping. I am trying to put together an album for my nephew who will be graduating in June. His mom has left me with a number of holes in his life, which has been very frustrating to me. So, I dug in my retreat goodie bag (from April 14) for a snack. I found my box of Smarties - a wonderful candy resembling M&Ms, but made in Canada. Oh, how I enjoyed that box of Smarties. They have a crunchier coating than M&Ms. The colors are much more vibrant, too. Somehow, that treat helped me get through my rough spot. It was very disheartening, though, when the last Smartie was gone and I had to face that the next time I have a chance at seeing any is the last weekend in September.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Love At First Beat
It's time to get back to my blog. I think I wasn't posting because I figured no one would be reading, but I want to put things into words again.
This morning, my daughter called to ask me to go with her to her doctor appointment. I flew to get ready. You see, she is expecting our first grandchild in early November. I got to hear that little heartbeat. What a sensation! We had been talking in the waiting room as we looked at new born pictures in an album (not CM!!). I was saying how everyone thinks their baby is so beautiful, but very few brand new babies are cute. Well, I just know that my new grand baby will be absolutely the most gorgeous child born. I am not the kind of person to let anyone know that, but will certainly think that in my heart. They aren't finding out what s/he is which I used to agree with. All I really care about is that s/he is healthy. I pray for that.
There is a little glitch with all this. Our son is getting married on October 20 - in California. We are in central New York. Molly says she'll be at the wedding - I think she has to believe that at this point. I know it will break her heart to miss her brother's wedding. I really believe she won't be there. I just hope that she won't have the baby while I am in CA for the wedding. That would be my luck, though. It sure is going to be an interesting time in our lives!!
This morning, my daughter called to ask me to go with her to her doctor appointment. I flew to get ready. You see, she is expecting our first grandchild in early November. I got to hear that little heartbeat. What a sensation! We had been talking in the waiting room as we looked at new born pictures in an album (not CM!!). I was saying how everyone thinks their baby is so beautiful, but very few brand new babies are cute. Well, I just know that my new grand baby will be absolutely the most gorgeous child born. I am not the kind of person to let anyone know that, but will certainly think that in my heart. They aren't finding out what s/he is which I used to agree with. All I really care about is that s/he is healthy. I pray for that.
There is a little glitch with all this. Our son is getting married on October 20 - in California. We are in central New York. Molly says she'll be at the wedding - I think she has to believe that at this point. I know it will break her heart to miss her brother's wedding. I really believe she won't be there. I just hope that she won't have the baby while I am in CA for the wedding. That would be my luck, though. It sure is going to be an interesting time in our lives!!
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