Not all of us are happy about me getting a job. I mean, we are thankful, and we will be happier when the paychecks start rolling in. But Monday morning my daughter got upset with me on the way to school. I don't remember what prompted it, but she said "I don't even feel like your daughter anymore!"
"Why not?" I asked.
"I don't want to talk about it now," she said, and went on to school.
That evening she referenced the conversation, so I asked right then for her to expand on it.
"I feel like you're never here. You're always at work."
We're not even two weeks into it. I'm feeling really blessed because I am allowed to take her to school at 8:30 a.m. before making that 45-minute drive to work. I don't take a lunch break so I can leave at 5:30 and be home shortly after 6 p.m. I can take an afternoon off to take her to the doctor. Whatever its shortfalls, this career field is the most flexible I've ever known.
But I guess five months is enough time for all of us to forget what its like being in a single working parent's home. I hated seeing that look in her eyes, but I told her, "I can understand why you would feel that way. I've been home for a long time. But I have to work to pay the bills. I understand how you feel, but it can't be helped."
I'm happy she seemed to understand. She hasn't said it again. I guess it will take some time to readjust.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
I am a reporter, and I love my job.
It's early enough and the stress is such that I can still say that. I know the day is coming when I'm going to feel like a beat dog again. Maybe not. I hope not. But at any rate, I remember that I love my job.
Today I was called beautiful by a fireman (who meant nothing by it, by the way), and was hugged by a school principal who just has a fantastic personality, was thankful for coverage of her school and just seemed like a really great person to know. I'm really going to enjoy working with her.
I also got a blast from the past when I covered the Georgia Power guys teaching safety around electrical wires. You remember Louie the Lightning Bug, right? Of course you do!
The plugs still crack me up.
It was kind of awesome watching it again. It was cool, too, to see a bunch of fifth graders laughing at him. Humor never goes out of style!!
Yep, this is what I love. Getting out of the office, meeting cool people, seeing cool things, and then writing about it. I can't help it. It's my calling. And I'll happily share what I can, when I can! :)
Today I was called beautiful by a fireman (who meant nothing by it, by the way), and was hugged by a school principal who just has a fantastic personality, was thankful for coverage of her school and just seemed like a really great person to know. I'm really going to enjoy working with her.
I also got a blast from the past when I covered the Georgia Power guys teaching safety around electrical wires. You remember Louie the Lightning Bug, right? Of course you do!
The plugs still crack me up.
It was kind of awesome watching it again. It was cool, too, to see a bunch of fifth graders laughing at him. Humor never goes out of style!!
Yep, this is what I love. Getting out of the office, meeting cool people, seeing cool things, and then writing about it. I can't help it. It's my calling. And I'll happily share what I can, when I can! :)
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Unemployment Chronicles -- THE END!!!
So guess what?
I am no longer unemployed!!!
I will be a reporter the McDuffie Mirror, and I'm kind of excited. Do you realize that I've been out of work five months? I know. It doesn't seem like it.
So it's funny. I mean, I've been sitting on my butt for five months. I did things, but mostly I sat around and ate too much and watched too much TV. (Trust me. My jeans are telling on me.) So it's funny. They tell me I have a job and all of a sudden there are all of these things I need to do because beginning Monday, I won't have time. Like, I need to clean my closets, and donate tons of crap to Goodwill, and I never got my lawn straightened out, and coffee!! I didn't drink enough coffee with friends! And...and...and...!!!!
I really think my house will be cleaner after I go back to work. I know. It makes no sense. But it's true!
I think this break was a good thing, though. I found out I do still really enjoy reporting, but wow was I burnt out! For a couple of months the idea of writing another story made me almost break out in hives. I spent close to $200 trying to find something, anything I could do that would bring me as much satisfaction without actually having to be a reporter. I wonder if I could take a five month sabbatical every few years. Hmmmm...... ;)
I'm down to my last weekend. (Well...weekend that isn't flanked by work weeks, anyway.) Tomorrow I go to human resources and sign papers. Then I do my last freelance Today's Home (*sniff*), try to have coffee with a girlfriend, take the kids out for a celebration dinner and probably collapse into bed. Then there's menus to plan, grocery shopping to do, housecleaning....
Y'all. I'm going to have to go to work to get some dang rest!! It's all good. :)
OH, and I already have a potential friend up there. So let me tell you. One of Robb's friends lives in Thomson and she knows this lawyer that she thought I'd hit it off with. She thought I'd need someone other than work people to socialize with. So I went to a knitting group last night to meet her. That was loads of fun. No, really! It was at this ranch where they raise alpacas. The owner actually let one of them into the den where we were sitting. It was a trip! She sat right there and spun raw fibers into thread for lace...after she took the alpaca back outside, of course. (His name is Frank and he is a-dor-a-ble. :) ). Honestly...I didn't know there were so many types of fibers. I mean, banana fiber? Yah, I definitely learned new stuff. Like, raw cashmere feels divine. AND, I didn't have to come back and write about it. I got to be curious for free! They were a very warm, lively group. And the girl and I exchanged cards and will probably get together for lunch as soon as I get my bearings, which will be good. My office is tiny. There will only be two other people there. I will need lunch buddies.
I think for now I'm going to make some coffee, climb into some jammies, and catch up on The Mentalist, Once Upon a Time, and see if there are any new Rizzoli and Isles. After Monday I may forget the shows even exist. :)
I am no longer unemployed!!!
I will be a reporter the McDuffie Mirror, and I'm kind of excited. Do you realize that I've been out of work five months? I know. It doesn't seem like it.
So it's funny. I mean, I've been sitting on my butt for five months. I did things, but mostly I sat around and ate too much and watched too much TV. (Trust me. My jeans are telling on me.) So it's funny. They tell me I have a job and all of a sudden there are all of these things I need to do because beginning Monday, I won't have time. Like, I need to clean my closets, and donate tons of crap to Goodwill, and I never got my lawn straightened out, and coffee!! I didn't drink enough coffee with friends! And...and...and...!!!!
I really think my house will be cleaner after I go back to work. I know. It makes no sense. But it's true!
I think this break was a good thing, though. I found out I do still really enjoy reporting, but wow was I burnt out! For a couple of months the idea of writing another story made me almost break out in hives. I spent close to $200 trying to find something, anything I could do that would bring me as much satisfaction without actually having to be a reporter. I wonder if I could take a five month sabbatical every few years. Hmmmm...... ;)
I'm down to my last weekend. (Well...weekend that isn't flanked by work weeks, anyway.) Tomorrow I go to human resources and sign papers. Then I do my last freelance Today's Home (*sniff*), try to have coffee with a girlfriend, take the kids out for a celebration dinner and probably collapse into bed. Then there's menus to plan, grocery shopping to do, housecleaning....
Y'all. I'm going to have to go to work to get some dang rest!! It's all good. :)
OH, and I already have a potential friend up there. So let me tell you. One of Robb's friends lives in Thomson and she knows this lawyer that she thought I'd hit it off with. She thought I'd need someone other than work people to socialize with. So I went to a knitting group last night to meet her. That was loads of fun. No, really! It was at this ranch where they raise alpacas. The owner actually let one of them into the den where we were sitting. It was a trip! She sat right there and spun raw fibers into thread for lace...after she took the alpaca back outside, of course. (His name is Frank and he is a-dor-a-ble. :) ). Honestly...I didn't know there were so many types of fibers. I mean, banana fiber? Yah, I definitely learned new stuff. Like, raw cashmere feels divine. AND, I didn't have to come back and write about it. I got to be curious for free! They were a very warm, lively group. And the girl and I exchanged cards and will probably get together for lunch as soon as I get my bearings, which will be good. My office is tiny. There will only be two other people there. I will need lunch buddies.
I think for now I'm going to make some coffee, climb into some jammies, and catch up on The Mentalist, Once Upon a Time, and see if there are any new Rizzoli and Isles. After Monday I may forget the shows even exist. :)
Friday, January 6, 2012
Sometimes charity is a two-way street
Christopher wanted tuna casserole for dinner tonight, so I ran to the grocery store real quick to get the ingredients and a few other things.
I ran into a lady I used to go to church with. She's always been very sweet to me and my kids, and was shocked when I told her I've been out of work since August. I've seen her several times and my dad, stepmom and sister see her regularly. I'm not sure how this piece of news escaped her, but that doesn't really matter.
As soon as I told her that she insisted on paying for my groceries. She said God told her to.
I tried telling her she didn't have to do that, but she insisted. I kept telling her I was okay, and she still insisted.
I don't know if God spoke to her. It's not for me to say. But God knows what I have in my food stamp account. God knows I get more in a few days. God knows I have enough food in my kitchen to last until then. God knows food is the one thing I don't need.
So I really can't say whether God spoke to her or not.
But He sure spoke to me.
I'll be honest, y'all. I have very little pride left in these matters. I've had to ask for a lot of help in my life. Asking for help really hurts a body's pride.
But when people offer, it stings the pride a little too. Have you ever noticed it's harder to accept help than it is to give it? Sure you have.
My church friend had to finish her shopping and asked me to wait.
Talk about hard. I didn't really want to. I didn't feel I needed it. I actually considered going straight to the checkout line instead of waiting.
But that wasn't the point at all.
My friend was so happy to help. As we checked out, she told me that she loves to help people. She doesn't normally shop in this store, she said, but God has a plan and look at this. She came to this store so she could help me out.
Like I said, I really don't know if God spoke to her. But He spoke to me.
She was so happy to be able to help that I think it would have been more unkind of me to deny her to spare my own pride.
Please don't think I mean that people (meaning me) should just take, take, take. That's not at all what I'm saying. Sometimes people offer help to be polite, but they don't really mean it. You can tell. What I am saying is if someone perceives you have a need and they genuinely want to meet it, it is also charity on your part to let them.
Sometimes charity isn't about the thing you are given. Sometimes charity is about not denying someone the pleasure of helping you.
I ran into a lady I used to go to church with. She's always been very sweet to me and my kids, and was shocked when I told her I've been out of work since August. I've seen her several times and my dad, stepmom and sister see her regularly. I'm not sure how this piece of news escaped her, but that doesn't really matter.
As soon as I told her that she insisted on paying for my groceries. She said God told her to.
I tried telling her she didn't have to do that, but she insisted. I kept telling her I was okay, and she still insisted.
I don't know if God spoke to her. It's not for me to say. But God knows what I have in my food stamp account. God knows I get more in a few days. God knows I have enough food in my kitchen to last until then. God knows food is the one thing I don't need.
So I really can't say whether God spoke to her or not.
But He sure spoke to me.
I'll be honest, y'all. I have very little pride left in these matters. I've had to ask for a lot of help in my life. Asking for help really hurts a body's pride.
But when people offer, it stings the pride a little too. Have you ever noticed it's harder to accept help than it is to give it? Sure you have.
My church friend had to finish her shopping and asked me to wait.
Talk about hard. I didn't really want to. I didn't feel I needed it. I actually considered going straight to the checkout line instead of waiting.
But that wasn't the point at all.
My friend was so happy to help. As we checked out, she told me that she loves to help people. She doesn't normally shop in this store, she said, but God has a plan and look at this. She came to this store so she could help me out.
Like I said, I really don't know if God spoke to her. But He spoke to me.
She was so happy to be able to help that I think it would have been more unkind of me to deny her to spare my own pride.
Please don't think I mean that people (meaning me) should just take, take, take. That's not at all what I'm saying. Sometimes people offer help to be polite, but they don't really mean it. You can tell. What I am saying is if someone perceives you have a need and they genuinely want to meet it, it is also charity on your part to let them.
Sometimes charity isn't about the thing you are given. Sometimes charity is about not denying someone the pleasure of helping you.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Random ramblings
I keep thinking I have nothing to talk about.
Me? Yeah, right!
In the last week, we've:
* Shot off fireworks. Okay, no. We watched fireworks being shot off at Rob's sister's house. The kids all shot Rob's flare gun, which kinda looks like fireworks but sounds like a gun. I was content to stay under the carport (read: safety). This is how I know I'm a mother. Or maybe just a nervous ninny. All I could think was "Oh, Lord, please don't let those hit that power line!" and "The tree! You're gonna set the tree on fire!" and "Please let that thing explode before it lands on somebody's roof/car/head!" I did a good job of keeping these thoughts to myself, mind you, or I'd have been laughed off the block. The kids still laughed at me just because I jumped. Almost every time. Whatever.
* Gotten the kids cell phones. The random texts I'm getting are pretty funny. "haha thanx im trapped in my room XD" (I did kinda have the attic ladder down and, um...broken). It gave me the chance to text her back "good! clean it while you're in there!" (hee hee)
Or better yet, my son sitting on the couch literally close enough to reach out and touch someone, texted: "hihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihi hi mom." I mean, really? I think they've just found a new way to annoy Mama.
Entertaining? Yes it is. Rob's learning he has to take up a new language, especially to communicate via text with Catie. It took him five minutes to figure out what WYD means. (What are you doing?) I'm glad he figured it out. I probably would have had to just ask her!
I must admit, though, I love being able to be in touch with them whenever they are not with me. And now that is becoming more and more often as they spend more time out with friends.
* took down the Christmas decorations. We nothing. That was all me. Every year it cracks me up how I can't wait to get the Christmas stuff out. I love decorating for Christmas. But once the holiday is over, I can't wait to rescue my house from all the Santas and snowflakes. It's funny how empty my house seems to look once the tree is out of the living room.
* went to do another Today's Home. (Again, all me.) I love looking at people's houses. I must confess, I'm a voyeur at heart. If I'm driving down the road at night, I love it when people leave their windows open. I don't want to see what you're doing. I just want to see how your house is decorated. And if you have anything other than a cookie cutter curb appeal, I want to see how your house is laid out. I'm thinking, where would the living room be in that house? How about the kitchen? What's it look like in there? I wanna see!!
This house was 6,000 square feet. It seemed like it went on forever. Beautiful. New. Huge. For two people. I never really understood why two people need that much space. Maybe it's just because I know I'll never have a house like that, but the more of these places I go into, the more I like my cozy little 1,000-ish square foot home. I can clean it in two hours and be done! I've been in homes with seven bathrooms and I keep thinking...somebody's got to clean all those toilets! Yes, I know. People with homes like that can probably afford maids to clean all those toilets, but still. That's an awful lot of space for just a few people. But for the 45 minutes or so I'm in their homes, I can definitely appreciate the beauty of them and for a minute, daydream. :)
Me? Yeah, right!
In the last week, we've:
* Shot off fireworks. Okay, no. We watched fireworks being shot off at Rob's sister's house. The kids all shot Rob's flare gun, which kinda looks like fireworks but sounds like a gun. I was content to stay under the carport (read: safety). This is how I know I'm a mother. Or maybe just a nervous ninny. All I could think was "Oh, Lord, please don't let those hit that power line!" and "The tree! You're gonna set the tree on fire!" and "Please let that thing explode before it lands on somebody's roof/car/head!" I did a good job of keeping these thoughts to myself, mind you, or I'd have been laughed off the block. The kids still laughed at me just because I jumped. Almost every time. Whatever.
* Gotten the kids cell phones. The random texts I'm getting are pretty funny. "haha thanx im trapped in my room XD" (I did kinda have the attic ladder down and, um...broken). It gave me the chance to text her back "good! clean it while you're in there!" (hee hee)
Or better yet, my son sitting on the couch literally close enough to reach out and touch someone, texted: "hihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihihi hi mom." I mean, really? I think they've just found a new way to annoy Mama.
Entertaining? Yes it is. Rob's learning he has to take up a new language, especially to communicate via text with Catie. It took him five minutes to figure out what WYD means. (What are you doing?) I'm glad he figured it out. I probably would have had to just ask her!
I must admit, though, I love being able to be in touch with them whenever they are not with me. And now that is becoming more and more often as they spend more time out with friends.
* took down the Christmas decorations. We nothing. That was all me. Every year it cracks me up how I can't wait to get the Christmas stuff out. I love decorating for Christmas. But once the holiday is over, I can't wait to rescue my house from all the Santas and snowflakes. It's funny how empty my house seems to look once the tree is out of the living room.
* went to do another Today's Home. (Again, all me.) I love looking at people's houses. I must confess, I'm a voyeur at heart. If I'm driving down the road at night, I love it when people leave their windows open. I don't want to see what you're doing. I just want to see how your house is decorated. And if you have anything other than a cookie cutter curb appeal, I want to see how your house is laid out. I'm thinking, where would the living room be in that house? How about the kitchen? What's it look like in there? I wanna see!!
This house was 6,000 square feet. It seemed like it went on forever. Beautiful. New. Huge. For two people. I never really understood why two people need that much space. Maybe it's just because I know I'll never have a house like that, but the more of these places I go into, the more I like my cozy little 1,000-ish square foot home. I can clean it in two hours and be done! I've been in homes with seven bathrooms and I keep thinking...somebody's got to clean all those toilets! Yes, I know. People with homes like that can probably afford maids to clean all those toilets, but still. That's an awful lot of space for just a few people. But for the 45 minutes or so I'm in their homes, I can definitely appreciate the beauty of them and for a minute, daydream. :)
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