Woke up to rain around 7:30 this morning. We wanted to hang the flag in remembrance of those who died in the 9/11 twin towers terrorist attack, but we waited until the rain passed and the sun came out later.
Did a treadmill session and weights exercises after breakfast. Once I was ready for the day, Mother came over and peeled and sliced the remainder of the pears to be blanched for the freezer. We got two more quarts.
While she was doing that, I tackled the closet in the spare bedroom. It was packed from floor to ceiling with boxes of this and bags of that. I cleared the shelf above the clothing rack to make space for my plastic totes of quilling supplies and embossing supplies. I also unearthed supplies for glass etching. These went into a small tote for the shelf.
After lunch, Hubbie and I went to the store that's having a going out of business sale to look for more plastic totes. Only found one that had a lid. For some reason, there were a bunch without lids.
From there, we went to the WDCS for a few grocery items needed for weekend meals. Got everything but chicken broth...went to a grocery store for that, because it is less expensive per can there. Fortunately, in our small town, we aren't far from anyplace, so we can take advantage of the best buys at various stores.
Back home, we decided to go on an outing to the 9/11 memorial field of flags at our local high school (see previous blog).
Mother went along on this outing, and after we'd visited the memorial, we went to a dollar store that is having a grand re-opening following remodeling of the store. We received a couple of $5 off $20 purchase coupons, so we wanted to see if there were plastic totes (with lids) at that store. We found what we needed and were able to take advantage of the coupons.
It was after 3 p.m. by the time we got back home, and I was too pooped to continue my closet project. I'll get after it again tomorrow. We don't hang clothes in that closet, so the rack is loaded with plastic bags on hangers that are filled with ribbons, silk flowers, Christmas decorations, etc. that need to be sorted and confined to plastic totes.
For supper, we had leftover lasagna and green beans, along with coleslaw, and sliced sourdough bread. Mother went home afterward, and Hubbie and I sat down to watch our favorite college football team play to a win in their second game of the season.
After that, we watched the 2009, PG-14, movie, "Frame of Mind," starring Chris Noth and Tony Lo Bianco. A young detective and his pregnant wife find a piece of film in an antique jewelry box that shows a man hiding what looks like a rifle poking out below his raincoat is standing on the grassy knoll that President John F. Kennedy passed when he was assassinated. The young detective seeks the help of a professor who has written a book about the assassination. Conspiracy, a cover-up, and threats to lives ensue.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
September 11
The image of the flags above represents the 83 heroes in our state who have fallen since the infamous and horrible September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the twin towers. Photos of military troops, with information about where, when, and how they were killed, are posted near each flag. The field of flags is standing on the lawn of our high school. We visited the memorial today, to honor these brave men and one woman who gave their all for our country.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Friday, Sept. 10
Up at 6:30 to go to water aerobics, but didn't get there. Oh, I tried all right, but immediately down the road, near the community college, I became part of snail's-pace traffic. When I finally arrived at the four-way stop, there was a road worker directing vehicles. He wouldn't allow me to turn left to go up the hill to the college gym. I had to proceed across the intersection, where I promptly became part of another line of bumper-to-bumper cars.
At this point, I called Hubbie to let him know my predicament. He called our auto service guy, who said road workers were paving at the intersection of Main Street, and had traffic snarled in all directions.
At last, I arrived at the stoplight and turned left onto the highway, where presently, I was crawling along again behind a long line of vehicles. By the time I got to a point where I might have taken a road to the gym, I had already sat in traffic for forty-five minutes. Aerobics was underway, and I was still nowhere near the college, where I probably would have had to park way up on the hill near the student union again, and walk down to the gym.
So I gave up on it and traveled to the street that highway workers recently completed, which passes by the WDCS and out to the interconnecting road that leads to our house. Frustrating morning. But not as frustrating to me, I figure, as it was to folks on their morning commute to work.
It was very thoughtless of the highway department not to have given notice in our local newspaper that work would be going on in that area, so we could take an alternate route.
Back home, I finished the birthday card for our friend in another town. Then Mother came over, and we cleared away our card making mess and gathered some materials for a scrapbooking meeting next week.
She went home after lunch, and Hubbie and I ran a few errands. Wow, it was like a sauna outdoors after yesterday's heavy rain.
We went first to the store that is going out of business, where I bought more greeting cards, since they are now four for a dollar. I also picked up a couple of plastic totes for our crafts. Hubbie bought planters, cans of cat food and a couple of bottles of grape juice. Grape juice and grape jelly are not my favorites, but Hubbie loves them.
From there, we went to the WDCS for a few items, and on to the greeting card shop (funny, huh?) to take advantage of a half price reed diffuser, but there were none left. However, a clerk said they were to get more next week, and she will call me when they come in.
Then we stopped by a grocery store to get cottage cheese before returning home.
Mother came back over as I was in the process of sorting tools and supplies for quilling and embossing crafts to be stored in the totes I bought today. I generated a pile of trash from the canvas totes that the crafts had originally been stored in. Everything is nice and neat in those two plastic totes now, which will make it much easier when we decide to tackle one of those crafts again.
After we finished that task, Hubbie and I peeled and sliced pears to be blanched for the freezer. Got five quarts. Then it was time to heat the pea soup for supper. We had that with PB&J sandwiches, followed by the last of the watermelon for dessert.
Later, we watched the 2009, R-rated movie, " The International," starring Clive owen. Editorial reviews decribe it as a "sprawling bank resorts to murder and arms sales to retain its power."
Note: our local newspaper reported the story of an explosion in an underground shaft in our town that injured seven men. The blast occurred around 2:30 yesterday afternoon. I heard it and wondered what it was. Mother thought it was just the sound of a semi truck going by on the highway, but I didn't think so.
At this point, I called Hubbie to let him know my predicament. He called our auto service guy, who said road workers were paving at the intersection of Main Street, and had traffic snarled in all directions.
At last, I arrived at the stoplight and turned left onto the highway, where presently, I was crawling along again behind a long line of vehicles. By the time I got to a point where I might have taken a road to the gym, I had already sat in traffic for forty-five minutes. Aerobics was underway, and I was still nowhere near the college, where I probably would have had to park way up on the hill near the student union again, and walk down to the gym.
So I gave up on it and traveled to the street that highway workers recently completed, which passes by the WDCS and out to the interconnecting road that leads to our house. Frustrating morning. But not as frustrating to me, I figure, as it was to folks on their morning commute to work.
It was very thoughtless of the highway department not to have given notice in our local newspaper that work would be going on in that area, so we could take an alternate route.
Back home, I finished the birthday card for our friend in another town. Then Mother came over, and we cleared away our card making mess and gathered some materials for a scrapbooking meeting next week.
She went home after lunch, and Hubbie and I ran a few errands. Wow, it was like a sauna outdoors after yesterday's heavy rain.
We went first to the store that is going out of business, where I bought more greeting cards, since they are now four for a dollar. I also picked up a couple of plastic totes for our crafts. Hubbie bought planters, cans of cat food and a couple of bottles of grape juice. Grape juice and grape jelly are not my favorites, but Hubbie loves them.
From there, we went to the WDCS for a few items, and on to the greeting card shop (funny, huh?) to take advantage of a half price reed diffuser, but there were none left. However, a clerk said they were to get more next week, and she will call me when they come in.
Then we stopped by a grocery store to get cottage cheese before returning home.
Mother came back over as I was in the process of sorting tools and supplies for quilling and embossing crafts to be stored in the totes I bought today. I generated a pile of trash from the canvas totes that the crafts had originally been stored in. Everything is nice and neat in those two plastic totes now, which will make it much easier when we decide to tackle one of those crafts again.
After we finished that task, Hubbie and I peeled and sliced pears to be blanched for the freezer. Got five quarts. Then it was time to heat the pea soup for supper. We had that with PB&J sandwiches, followed by the last of the watermelon for dessert.
Later, we watched the 2009, R-rated movie, " The International," starring Clive owen. Editorial reviews decribe it as a "sprawling bank resorts to murder and arms sales to retain its power."
Note: our local newspaper reported the story of an explosion in an underground shaft in our town that injured seven men. The blast occurred around 2:30 yesterday afternoon. I heard it and wondered what it was. Mother thought it was just the sound of a semi truck going by on the highway, but I didn't think so.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Thursday, Sept. 9
Up at around 7:30 so Hubbie could get ready to go to a 10 a.m. master gardener meeting. He left around 9:30, while I was on the treadmill, because he wanted to stop by a drug store to pick up a couple of three-pound cans of on-sale coffee. He'd gotten a couple of cans yesterday, as well, and would have gotten more if the limit hadn't been two. The reason we're stocking up is because we've heard that the price of coffee is going to increase sharply.
I spent the morning doing various things, including purchasing tickets to the play, "Evita," to be performed in the capital city in October. Today was the last day to get discounted tickets before the opening performance tomorrow. We decided to reserve seats in the second mezzanine section (the cheap seats), because that's where Mother can be seated on a front row near an aisle, so she won't feel claustrophobic.
Then I called our scrapbook members about a "walkability" event in October. The event, sponsored by Extension Services, is to "survey our town for convenience, barriers, and other features that make walking easy or risky and difficult." Those of us who volunteer, and I am one of them, will photograph and note observations of residential and commercial areas and access to schools and parks. Other sponsors of the event include a medical center, a health education center, our local AARP chapter, and our local city council.
Hubbie returned around noon, bringing a daylily plant that he won as a door prize. After lunch, I decided to put a pot of green split peas on to simmer for tomorrow night's supper, but discovered I didn't have any dried beans. That meant a trip to the grocery store. Mother came over after we got back from the store and cut up onions, carrots, and celery for the soup.
We let the soup simmer until 4 p.m., when we went to the college down the road from us for a community picnic. It was pouring rain at the time, so the college had set up tables with white tablecloths and red or red check runners. in the dining hall. The area is large, so staff also inflated a large jump castle for the kids. In one corner, a snow cone machine was set up for the kids, but it was so cold in the room, I don't know how the kids could stand to eat it.
A popular local guitarist entertained, while folks enjoyed hamburgers and hot dogs and bags of potato chips, plus a choice of cherry cream cheese dessert and cookies, as well as choices of soft drinks and bottled water. I passed up the hot dogs and chips, but I did indulge in the cherry dessert.
It was still raining hard when we left around 5 p.m. Dropped Hubbie off at home, then Mother and I went to a greeting card making session at Caring Hands Hospice. The session lasted until around 7 p.m. Mother and I made ten birthday cards for the cause.
By the time we got ready to leave the session, it had finally stopped raining, but it sure was muggy-warm.
At home, Hubbie and I watched a couple of one-hour shows. Hubbie was dozy, since he has developed a head cold. I truly hope Mother doesn't catch it.
I spent the morning doing various things, including purchasing tickets to the play, "Evita," to be performed in the capital city in October. Today was the last day to get discounted tickets before the opening performance tomorrow. We decided to reserve seats in the second mezzanine section (the cheap seats), because that's where Mother can be seated on a front row near an aisle, so she won't feel claustrophobic.
Then I called our scrapbook members about a "walkability" event in October. The event, sponsored by Extension Services, is to "survey our town for convenience, barriers, and other features that make walking easy or risky and difficult." Those of us who volunteer, and I am one of them, will photograph and note observations of residential and commercial areas and access to schools and parks. Other sponsors of the event include a medical center, a health education center, our local AARP chapter, and our local city council.
Hubbie returned around noon, bringing a daylily plant that he won as a door prize. After lunch, I decided to put a pot of green split peas on to simmer for tomorrow night's supper, but discovered I didn't have any dried beans. That meant a trip to the grocery store. Mother came over after we got back from the store and cut up onions, carrots, and celery for the soup.
We let the soup simmer until 4 p.m., when we went to the college down the road from us for a community picnic. It was pouring rain at the time, so the college had set up tables with white tablecloths and red or red check runners. in the dining hall. The area is large, so staff also inflated a large jump castle for the kids. In one corner, a snow cone machine was set up for the kids, but it was so cold in the room, I don't know how the kids could stand to eat it.
A popular local guitarist entertained, while folks enjoyed hamburgers and hot dogs and bags of potato chips, plus a choice of cherry cream cheese dessert and cookies, as well as choices of soft drinks and bottled water. I passed up the hot dogs and chips, but I did indulge in the cherry dessert.
It was still raining hard when we left around 5 p.m. Dropped Hubbie off at home, then Mother and I went to a greeting card making session at Caring Hands Hospice. The session lasted until around 7 p.m. Mother and I made ten birthday cards for the cause.
By the time we got ready to leave the session, it had finally stopped raining, but it sure was muggy-warm.
At home, Hubbie and I watched a couple of one-hour shows. Hubbie was dozy, since he has developed a head cold. I truly hope Mother doesn't catch it.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Wednesday, Sept. 8
Up at 6:30 to get ready to go to water aerobics. It was a cloudy, humid morning, that created puffs of fog among the trees on the hill near the college. Very pretty.
Again, I had to park up the hill near the student center, but since it wasn't raining, it was no problem to trek down to the gym. The pool was cool, as usual, but 26 of us enjoyed it, including a new member.
Sadly today, we learned that our aerobic leader's sister died yesterday. Her sister was 85 years old and died of cancer. She was about 18 years older than the aerobics leader, who came to the pool today to conduct the session despite her loss. She engaged one of the alternate leaders to conduct the session on Friday, though.
Back home, once I was ready for the day, Mother came over. We didn't do much for the rest of the morning, except put a bunch of sweet potatoes in the oven. They were small potatoes, and we ate some them for lunch and put the rest in the freezer.
After lunch, I gathered materials for making a greeting card for Mother's and my friend, who lives in a town about an hour and a half east of us. The card uses quilled designs, but since it's been a while since I've done quilling, I had difficulty finding my papers and tools. I finally did, though, and began the project around 1 p.m. (see previous blog to view a photo of the card).
While I was doing this, Mother put together a dish of lasagna for supper, and Hubbie ran errands.
The lasagna, served with green beans, was very good. There's enough left for two more meals. Mother went home after supper, and Hubbie and I settled in front of TV. It's getting dark earlier. I miss the daylight stretching to 9 p.m. I always think I'll accomplish lots of indoor tasks when I can't go outside anymore, but instead all I want to do is hibernate.
Again, I had to park up the hill near the student center, but since it wasn't raining, it was no problem to trek down to the gym. The pool was cool, as usual, but 26 of us enjoyed it, including a new member.
Sadly today, we learned that our aerobic leader's sister died yesterday. Her sister was 85 years old and died of cancer. She was about 18 years older than the aerobics leader, who came to the pool today to conduct the session despite her loss. She engaged one of the alternate leaders to conduct the session on Friday, though.
Back home, once I was ready for the day, Mother came over. We didn't do much for the rest of the morning, except put a bunch of sweet potatoes in the oven. They were small potatoes, and we ate some them for lunch and put the rest in the freezer.
After lunch, I gathered materials for making a greeting card for Mother's and my friend, who lives in a town about an hour and a half east of us. The card uses quilled designs, but since it's been a while since I've done quilling, I had difficulty finding my papers and tools. I finally did, though, and began the project around 1 p.m. (see previous blog to view a photo of the card).
While I was doing this, Mother put together a dish of lasagna for supper, and Hubbie ran errands.
The lasagna, served with green beans, was very good. There's enough left for two more meals. Mother went home after supper, and Hubbie and I settled in front of TV. It's getting dark earlier. I miss the daylight stretching to 9 p.m. I always think I'll accomplish lots of indoor tasks when I can't go outside anymore, but instead all I want to do is hibernate.
Greeting Card
Making this greeting card with quilled elements was my project for today. It's based on a pattern from a magazine, but the one featured called for a pre-made card that already had four windows cut into the front.Instead, I had to first make a template of windows. I'm not handy with a ruler, or with dividing fractions, so it was a struggle, but I finally managed it. My carpenter son would never hire me onto his construction crew!
The card itself is tri-fold white cardstock. I used the template to cut windows in the first layer of the card front, then used the template again to cut windows in the brown handmade paper. I taped this to the front of the card. Then I quilled the leaf design elements and glued them into the window openings. Brown brads completed the design.
Now, I need to choose a birthday greeting for the inside, and then the card will be ready to send to Mother's and my friend, whose birthday is next week.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Tuesday, Sept. 7
Got up late this morning, at nearly 8 a.m., and did a treadmill session and weights exercises after breakfast. Hubbie took the truck for a minor repair to the camper shell window while I was exercising. Since the shop couldn't get to the truck right away, someone brought him home. Later in the morning, once I was ready for the day, I accompanied him to pick the truck up after repairs.
Spent the rest of the morning on the computer and making phone calls. Mother came over around 11 a.m. It started raining around noon and continued to do so throughout the afternoon. The rain is much needed, so we were very glad to see it.
We were also glad to see the half-blind white kitten on the doorstep this morning. We hadn't seen her since yesterday afternoon around 4 p.m., when she was frightened by the lawnmower and went into hiding. We feared some harm might have come to her.
After lunch, I decided we needed to run a couple of errands. I thought the rain had slacked off, but not so. We were glad to have an umbrella with us.
Our first stop was at the art gallery, but we found that it was closed. So we dropped by the bank, and then went to the discount store that's going out of business. Hubbie wanted to pick up cans of cat food there. The final stop was at the health store to get buy-one-get-one-half-off boxes of fish oil gels. I used my 20% off discount card on these. The store is supposed to alert me when they have sales on their products, which is usually the first week or so of each month, but somehow they missed me this month. Hubbie happened to think of it last week and thought we should check on it, so I called this morning.
Back home, we relaxed for the rest of the afternoon, reading the local newspaper and a couple of magazines that recently came in the mail, and then had a supper of leftover barbecued country ribs and steamed veggies.
Mother went home afterward, and Hubbie and I watched TV, including the R-rated movie, "Bobby Z," starring Paul Walker and Laurence Fishburne. A biker gang is out to kill an ex-Marine convict (Walker). A DEA agent (Fishburne) makes a deal to get him out of jail if he agrees to impersonate a recently killed drug lord (who he happens to look like). Things get sticky, though, and the convict ends up running for his life.
Spent the rest of the morning on the computer and making phone calls. Mother came over around 11 a.m. It started raining around noon and continued to do so throughout the afternoon. The rain is much needed, so we were very glad to see it.
We were also glad to see the half-blind white kitten on the doorstep this morning. We hadn't seen her since yesterday afternoon around 4 p.m., when she was frightened by the lawnmower and went into hiding. We feared some harm might have come to her.
After lunch, I decided we needed to run a couple of errands. I thought the rain had slacked off, but not so. We were glad to have an umbrella with us.
Our first stop was at the art gallery, but we found that it was closed. So we dropped by the bank, and then went to the discount store that's going out of business. Hubbie wanted to pick up cans of cat food there. The final stop was at the health store to get buy-one-get-one-half-off boxes of fish oil gels. I used my 20% off discount card on these. The store is supposed to alert me when they have sales on their products, which is usually the first week or so of each month, but somehow they missed me this month. Hubbie happened to think of it last week and thought we should check on it, so I called this morning.
Back home, we relaxed for the rest of the afternoon, reading the local newspaper and a couple of magazines that recently came in the mail, and then had a supper of leftover barbecued country ribs and steamed veggies.
Mother went home afterward, and Hubbie and I watched TV, including the R-rated movie, "Bobby Z," starring Paul Walker and Laurence Fishburne. A biker gang is out to kill an ex-Marine convict (Walker). A DEA agent (Fishburne) makes a deal to get him out of jail if he agrees to impersonate a recently killed drug lord (who he happens to look like). Things get sticky, though, and the convict ends up running for his life.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Monday, Sept. 6
Was up at 6:30 this morning to get ready to go to water aerobics. There was a nip in the air when I left for the college...beginning to feel more like fall.
The pool was cool, but nice once I was used to it. About 24 of us showed up, including three new members, which was more than I thought would attend on this Labor Day holiday.
Back home, I noticed that there was a strange truck in the driveway, and learned that Hubbie had called someone to come take a look at our leaky sun room roof. He is to return in a few weeks to remove the skylights, which have done nothing but give us problems, and redo the roof.
Proving that it's a small world, Hubbie told me that the roofer is the husband of one of the ladies who is a water aerobics member. This lady is a talented seamstress, who makes costumes for local productions, including the community theater.
Mother came over while I was getting ready for the day and did gathered some more things for making greeting cards at Caring Hands meeting later this week. Before lunch, I typed and printed out a few birthday greetings to use on the cards, and then joined Mother in gathering materials.
After lunch, Hubbie and I ran errands...to the pharmacy, to a book and video shop, to the other discount store that is going out of business (again...picked up twenty-six more greeting cards and other miscellaneous items), and then to the WDCS.
While we were gone, Mother cut up veggies for the steamer...zucchini and yellow squash and onions, and potatoes. I put the marinated country ribs in a baking bag with barbecue sauce and set everything to cooking. Everything was done to a turn and delicious by suppertime.
While supper was cooking, I made a recipe of fruited Jell-o to have as a snack later in the evening. I made it by the quick-set method, so it was ready for Mother to take a helping home with her.
Later, we watched the 2002, R-rated movie, "Soul Assassin," starring Skeet Ulrich. A young man employed with a security team of a multi-national banking firm is promoted. He plans a very romantic evening with his girlfriend, but someone knocks at the door and shoots the girlfriend dead, setting the young man on a path of revenge. But he is catapulted into a world of espionage and assassinations. Heavy use of the blue filter in this film. Lots of action, lots of killing.
The pool was cool, but nice once I was used to it. About 24 of us showed up, including three new members, which was more than I thought would attend on this Labor Day holiday.
Back home, I noticed that there was a strange truck in the driveway, and learned that Hubbie had called someone to come take a look at our leaky sun room roof. He is to return in a few weeks to remove the skylights, which have done nothing but give us problems, and redo the roof.
Proving that it's a small world, Hubbie told me that the roofer is the husband of one of the ladies who is a water aerobics member. This lady is a talented seamstress, who makes costumes for local productions, including the community theater.
Mother came over while I was getting ready for the day and did gathered some more things for making greeting cards at Caring Hands meeting later this week. Before lunch, I typed and printed out a few birthday greetings to use on the cards, and then joined Mother in gathering materials.
After lunch, Hubbie and I ran errands...to the pharmacy, to a book and video shop, to the other discount store that is going out of business (again...picked up twenty-six more greeting cards and other miscellaneous items), and then to the WDCS.
While we were gone, Mother cut up veggies for the steamer...zucchini and yellow squash and onions, and potatoes. I put the marinated country ribs in a baking bag with barbecue sauce and set everything to cooking. Everything was done to a turn and delicious by suppertime.
While supper was cooking, I made a recipe of fruited Jell-o to have as a snack later in the evening. I made it by the quick-set method, so it was ready for Mother to take a helping home with her.
Later, we watched the 2002, R-rated movie, "Soul Assassin," starring Skeet Ulrich. A young man employed with a security team of a multi-national banking firm is promoted. He plans a very romantic evening with his girlfriend, but someone knocks at the door and shoots the girlfriend dead, setting the young man on a path of revenge. But he is catapulted into a world of espionage and assassinations. Heavy use of the blue filter in this film. Lots of action, lots of killing.
Labor Day, 2010
HAPPY LABOR DAY!
Hope those who are fortunate enough to have a holiday from the job are having a safe and fun day.
We, of course, are retired, but in reflecting on our work lives, we both have enjoyed a variety of occupations over the years. Among other things, Hubbie has worked in the food industry, as a farmer, and as a counselor for the blind with a state agency (the job from which he retired).
My work life has been more varied. At a very young age, around ten years old, I was interested only in making enough to pay my and my siblings way into movies, which I was able to do by collecting soft drink bottles and turning them in for the deposit (a thing you could do in the early 1950s).
As a young teenager (around thirteen years old), I babysat children, and acted as a companion and assistant to an elderly person. At fourteen, I worked as a waitress at a restaurant not far from our home. At that job, I was cautioned to say I was sixteen if ever asked. No one ever asked.
I continued babysitting through my high school days, but also worked for a short time as a bookkeeper (a job that didn't last long, because I was so terrible at it), and at a pastry shop (a job I enjoyed, and where I learned how to make change...a skill that has died with computerized cash registers).
Then as a young married adult, I again worked in the food industry for a while, before being employed by the WDCS for a time. After that, I took a hiatus to stay home with my children until they entered school.
A divorce meant that I needed employment that would not only earn me a wage, but would offer health insurance for my growing family. I took a nine-month course in secretarial science, after which I became employed as a stenographer with a state agency for the blind (the same one my husband retired from). Here, I was able to rise through the secretarial ranks to assistant to the boss.
After nine years, I resigned my job to marry my current husband. After a few years, I was back in school again...college this time...and upon graduation, I worked as a photo-journalist until I accepted a position as a job placement specialist with a state agency.
Spent five years at that job, before resigning. After that, I worked (and still work) in jobs relating to photo-journalism, including teaching freshman level photography at a local college, teaching photography to high school students in a summer on-campus program, working as a reporter for both our local and state newspapers, and from time-to-time conducting week-long photography workshops around the state in middle schools, museums and other places (which I still do).
Each job had its lessons to be used in the next job. Collecting bottles for money gave me a sense of independence and a need to earn my own money; working with children and the elderly helped me think of others' needs; working as a secretary gave me organizational skills, and made me aware of the abilities of people with disabilities, which made me more suited as a job placement specialist to people with disabilities; and all of the jobs helped me be outgoing, creative, and curious...all traits needed in a photo-journalist, as well as a teacher.
Hope those who are fortunate enough to have a holiday from the job are having a safe and fun day.
We, of course, are retired, but in reflecting on our work lives, we both have enjoyed a variety of occupations over the years. Among other things, Hubbie has worked in the food industry, as a farmer, and as a counselor for the blind with a state agency (the job from which he retired).
My work life has been more varied. At a very young age, around ten years old, I was interested only in making enough to pay my and my siblings way into movies, which I was able to do by collecting soft drink bottles and turning them in for the deposit (a thing you could do in the early 1950s).
As a young teenager (around thirteen years old), I babysat children, and acted as a companion and assistant to an elderly person. At fourteen, I worked as a waitress at a restaurant not far from our home. At that job, I was cautioned to say I was sixteen if ever asked. No one ever asked.
I continued babysitting through my high school days, but also worked for a short time as a bookkeeper (a job that didn't last long, because I was so terrible at it), and at a pastry shop (a job I enjoyed, and where I learned how to make change...a skill that has died with computerized cash registers).
Then as a young married adult, I again worked in the food industry for a while, before being employed by the WDCS for a time. After that, I took a hiatus to stay home with my children until they entered school.
A divorce meant that I needed employment that would not only earn me a wage, but would offer health insurance for my growing family. I took a nine-month course in secretarial science, after which I became employed as a stenographer with a state agency for the blind (the same one my husband retired from). Here, I was able to rise through the secretarial ranks to assistant to the boss.
After nine years, I resigned my job to marry my current husband. After a few years, I was back in school again...college this time...and upon graduation, I worked as a photo-journalist until I accepted a position as a job placement specialist with a state agency.
Spent five years at that job, before resigning. After that, I worked (and still work) in jobs relating to photo-journalism, including teaching freshman level photography at a local college, teaching photography to high school students in a summer on-campus program, working as a reporter for both our local and state newspapers, and from time-to-time conducting week-long photography workshops around the state in middle schools, museums and other places (which I still do).
Each job had its lessons to be used in the next job. Collecting bottles for money gave me a sense of independence and a need to earn my own money; working with children and the elderly helped me think of others' needs; working as a secretary gave me organizational skills, and made me aware of the abilities of people with disabilities, which made me more suited as a job placement specialist to people with disabilities; and all of the jobs helped me be outgoing, creative, and curious...all traits needed in a photo-journalist, as well as a teacher.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sunday, Sept. 5
Up around 7 a.m., but skipped my exercises to do some things before lunch, including making a recipe of marinade for the country ribs. Once I had those in the fridge, I programmed the DVR for the week's movies and shows, read the Sunday newspaper, etc., until time to heat the leftover potato soup, bran muffins, and pear cobbler for an early lunch.
After lunch, we headed to another town to see a performance of "Guys and Dolls." We arrived twenty minutes earlier than when the door opened at 1:30. We wanted to be there in time to get both a parking space close to the theater, and our choice of theater seats. We managed both. Our parking space was only steps away from the storefront theater door, and we grabbed seats on an elevated level, which overlooked the seating at floor level, so that our view of the stage was unobstructed. Perfect seating for Mother.
I expected to have to pay an extra fifteen dollars for Mother's ticket, but the person accepting our ticket for two admitted all three of us on it, because it was supposed to include two dinners. Since this was an extra show, held over because the weekend dinner shows had sold out, the ticket taker was trying to make good on the stated voucher price. This satisfied us entirely, since the voucher was worth $54, and I paid only $20 for it at a silent auction.
The show was wonderful...very professionally done...and we all enjoyed it. The only downside was that there must have been a problem with the air conditioner, because it got very warm in the theater. Most of us ladies were fanning like crazy with our programs. Pitchers of ice water were available, and at intermission, I rushed to get styrofoam cups of it for us.
The performance ended at 4:30 p.m., after which we went to our favorite restaurant for supper. The last time we were at the restaurant, we were charged for glasses of water. Not so today, but the glasses provided were very small. Also, in the past, free coffee was offered with dessert, but that has changed, too. Now if a diner wants coffee, he/she has to ask for it, and a waitress will collect the price of it before serving. We like coffee with our dessert, and I particularly like the coffee at this restaurant, but today we passed on it.
We were back home around 6:30. The animals were none the worse for our absence, though they were all ready to be fed.
Spent the rest of the evening watching TV....or rather, I watched it while playing on my laptop, while Hubbie napped in his recliner.
After lunch, we headed to another town to see a performance of "Guys and Dolls." We arrived twenty minutes earlier than when the door opened at 1:30. We wanted to be there in time to get both a parking space close to the theater, and our choice of theater seats. We managed both. Our parking space was only steps away from the storefront theater door, and we grabbed seats on an elevated level, which overlooked the seating at floor level, so that our view of the stage was unobstructed. Perfect seating for Mother.
I expected to have to pay an extra fifteen dollars for Mother's ticket, but the person accepting our ticket for two admitted all three of us on it, because it was supposed to include two dinners. Since this was an extra show, held over because the weekend dinner shows had sold out, the ticket taker was trying to make good on the stated voucher price. This satisfied us entirely, since the voucher was worth $54, and I paid only $20 for it at a silent auction.
The show was wonderful...very professionally done...and we all enjoyed it. The only downside was that there must have been a problem with the air conditioner, because it got very warm in the theater. Most of us ladies were fanning like crazy with our programs. Pitchers of ice water were available, and at intermission, I rushed to get styrofoam cups of it for us.
The performance ended at 4:30 p.m., after which we went to our favorite restaurant for supper. The last time we were at the restaurant, we were charged for glasses of water. Not so today, but the glasses provided were very small. Also, in the past, free coffee was offered with dessert, but that has changed, too. Now if a diner wants coffee, he/she has to ask for it, and a waitress will collect the price of it before serving. We like coffee with our dessert, and I particularly like the coffee at this restaurant, but today we passed on it.
We were back home around 6:30. The animals were none the worse for our absence, though they were all ready to be fed.
Spent the rest of the evening watching TV....or rather, I watched it while playing on my laptop, while Hubbie napped in his recliner.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)