August 17, 2009

And another month has passed!

Wow, where does the time go? I think the Mayans are on to something... Time hasn't just been flying, it has been ticking off at the speed of sound! My child is in the third grade this year; the THIRD grade...Seems just like yesterday... The Library has turned another year. The summer program has come and gone; with great success might I add.
The death toll of the rich and famous has dropped a little. The MJ conspiracy theories have staggered somewhat. All in all, I would say things have slowed a little. I can remember when I was my little ones age. Life seemed to drag on forever. Lazy days at the pool; when the water felt more like a bath than a refreshing dip. Mornings at the barn before the flies awoke, working early to beat the heat. Then wanting to ride but only finding a snooze in the air conditioned tack room. Later yet, walking into the warm summer evening, tacking up for a ride and staying out to see the fireflies and the first twinkle of the stars. The days just seemed to go on forever!
Now, I wake up, work, home, bed. Seems as though I missed a few steps doesn't it. But that's what it really feels like. I can't imagine having horses to care for again; they would just have to be trained to use the commode and get their own meals; Could you imagine?! I trained my kids to do that... I'm still working on the dog... Oh well.
I think the most important thing to remember now is that I have kids. They are SO important. Their every growth and milestone. Taping my eyelids up to be sure I sign the folder and read for 20 minutes. And keeping my head in the upright position to hear all the complaints and compliments that happened today. To be there, to be in their moment, when they need me... Have you hugged your kids today? Be sure I have.

July 05, 2009

Happy 4Th of July, one day late. I have been quite the lounger today. I am still in my jammies and it's after midnight. Okay, well that doesn't sound quite right. Actually, I've not changed out of them today-yesterday.. Anyway, I did brush my teeth! When that fuzzy feeling starts, so does the tooth brush! L-A-Z-Y! That is how you spell this past weekend! I had planned to go to the movies ( I want to see Transformers 2) also planned to get a haircut- still long and in need of Loreal! See, I am visiting my mom... How sweet... It really is. I am so glad that I still have my mom. She is my rock! When the world is swirling out of control, she is there. She holds my face and speaks to my heart. I love you mom!

We didn't do a darn thing today and we still had a great time. I did manage to cook some quinoa-YUMMY! I checked my email and Facebook. Oh, I love games! Mom has this game she downloaded from the net- Jewel Quest III. HARD!! Let me tell you, getting the monkeys into the traps is tough and I can't stand the dueling thing in South America, such a pain. I think the computer is cheating because Sebastian ALWAYS wins, the creep... It is a fun and challenging game though.
Yes, I have been relaxing this weekend. My Lil one is camping and my big one is holding down the fort. She reassures me that the dog, chickens, hamster and frog are all fed and doing well. It's not very often that I don't have RESPONSIBILITY. It has been officially my weekend OFF and I have loved it. Tomorrow, or later today, I will attempt the hair cut and make my way back home. WOrk again on Tuesday. Some days I wish my Weekends OFF could last for a month. I have been the responsible one since I was 15. Sometimes I just wish someone would take care of ME for a change. Wow, what a thought... I could sleep in everyday.. Join a gym and get myself in shape- good shape like when I was younger- I could get my hair and nails done by a professional- it's not to say that boxed hair and nails aren't good enough, it's just what I can afford outside of this little fantasy I'm in- ooh...to be pampered... ssshhhh... I think I'm dreaming.... Anyway, it really is late..Night Night. See you at work on Tuesday... You know, RESPONSIBILITY.

June 29, 2009

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I have written! Oh, how the time does fly. So many more sad things happening. We all had time to contemplate the passing of Farrah Fawcett; to remember her best moments whether on the silver screen or pictured on the wall. She was a fabulous person and she will be missed by so many. And, Ed McMahon! Here's another one who we knew was aging and frail. He will be missed as well... But, Michael Jackson's passing... whew... This one gripped me hard! This is a shocker! He was so young! I grew up listening to his music! I grew up with him. I am only a few years younger than him... He is gone in an instant and MY life flashes before my eyes. OKAY, Yes! It's about me! How can anyone not think it's about them self? What have you done lately? I have yelled at my child for spilling juice on the floor. I have yelled at my oldest for the piles of laundry all over the floor. The dog smells up everything... I am so angry about everything. WHY?! It can all be gone in an instant...

What is so important here? Children living without a father... My child, living without me. The comparison is scary! Life is so fragile. What is the importance of it all? Where is the balance? When I cleaned up the juice, there was balance. When the laundry was folded and put away, there was balance- even peace... The dog still smells; God is wish he could just jump in the shower like the rest of us... He is a good friend in our house and I should not complain. I will go home now and I will kiss my child and embrace my oldest; and I will bathe the dog, too. My heart will still ache a little but I know that I have done a good thing today because I really love my kids and the dog... Have a heart-felt day...

June 03, 2009

It has been so long. I feel as though I have abandoned you... I haven't. I'm just busy, busy, busy. This is what I tell my child, and you anyway. Sometimes life is just so hectic that I don't have time to even think... And is there stuff to think about! The airplane that crashed into the sea. This is so sudden and sad; it makes my heart ache. Truly, the lives lost. The families that mourn. The sorrow that fills the sea of my heart... As we watched this unfold, my child and I, on the news, it broke my heart. My child kept asking questions, thus breaking her heart too. To see someone so little be so upset about the loss of life... Life so far removed from her own... ugh!!! And I am angry. I know that if you are reading this, you too will be angry... Maybe at me. This whole appointing of a judge issue. Talk about being held accountable for every word out of your mouth. I am pro-women. I am a woman and I have opinions! But! How can we just explain away a comment like the one in question? Wasn't some dj/announcer dude fired because of a comment he made about some pretty tough women kickin' butt on a court? Yes, a different court but.... He didn't mean anything MEAN by it. They're just taking it out of context. Really? Did this woman mean to be MEAN about men of a different race? How is a comment of prejudice over looked for one but not for the other? Do we/women really want equality or convenience? "Oh they're just taking it out of context..." Really? I am glad that I am not a high profile blog and that my opinion really doesn't matter, it's just mine after all. Really? Really....!

May 18, 2009 and May 19, 2009

Well happy Rainy Monday to you! I wish I could have just stayed in bed today. My rainy Monday actually began with the first crash of lightening and drum of thunder. I have this really great Golden Retriever- so cute and fuzzy and playful and big and stinky! Yeah, anyway, he is terrified of thunder and lightening. Before I even know it's going to rain he starts the whimpering. He decides that his bed is no longer comfortable and that he needs mine. Hello! Big, sweet, cute, fuzzy, stinky crybaby! It's 2:00 AM and he's crying and breathing (which is good really, I might not like his smell at all if he were not actually breathing) in my face as if it were the end of the world! I tell ya, it's like having a baby all over again... Any way, I have to comfort him or he will cry the whole night! So I am up and not getting the preferred seven to eight-and-one-half hours of required adult sleep! This sleep deprivation may affect the way I write in my blog or the way I am at work- This can not happen!

And now it's Tuesday; and raining... gee whiz... Well, the good news is that This Day, This Actual Day is the day it all began one year ago. Yes, one year ago our sleepy Lil' library re-opened it's eyes and it's doors in a brand new location! This day remembers from whence we came. The musty, dusty, sleepy little home for so many wondrous reads... The bugs and elbow-room-only spaces... I spread rumors that we had so little space for our wonderful novels that staff had to take turns balancing stacks of books on our heads. It was a colorful rumor... Novels of all types listing and swaying and teetering... Ingredients would dangle from the pages just barely hanging on... sigh... Characters would poke their heads out, threatening with gestures of nausea. The sea would spill out onto our clothes... Oh Thank YOU all! Thank you for rescuing us all! The staff, the novels, the books can BREATHE! We can all breathe!! Our new and spacious wonderful library is embraced by one and all!

I do thank you. The public made it possible. The county folks made it possible. Thank you again...

May 15, 2009

Okay, today is the day! We are celebrating the 1st anniversary of our library in it's Sparkly, Clean, New, fresh, friendly, fantastic building. Be sure to come down and rock-n-read! Have some cookies and pop and share your thoughts! Let me tell you, we have over 500 cookies... Did you catch all them zeros? We will be up to our eyebrows in cookies if you don't eat some. Oh, and the Friends of the library are having a special on books in their store; may be just the bargain you are looking for... C'ya soon!

May 11, 2009 and May 13, 2009

Yet another quickie: I feel as though I haven't been here in ages! I missed a few days because we were so busy. Last week we had sensitivity training and upgrades and tons of food! We shelf read and cleaned computers and dusted and mopped and well, you get the idea. We gotta lot goin' on. I've been chasing this little bug around my desk. He looks like any other annoying critter only he wears a soldiers pattern on his back...? Any guesses? Red undercarriage? I haven't squashed him yet because he's not bitten me yet. We just keep playing tag... Where oh where has the time gone?

We are preparing for our big celebration! One of our splendid PS A's came up with this great idea. It involves a small cut-out (shaped like a book) that reads,"I Love My Library because..." The idea is to get everyone to fill in the blank....Here is my response: "I love my library because it is so clean and shiny. The lighting, nature, comfort of the library is fantastic! The staff (yea- me included) is warm and inviting and helpful. The flower boxes are gorgeous! This place is peaceful. It's the perfect place to be! The world is in such chaos... I am blessed to be here; and grateful that I'm paid to be here. Working in peace is great; it's why I Love My Library". Now, you can come in when ever you want and fill in your response. The book shaped cut-outs are on the Check Out counter...

Monday May 04, 2009

This will be a quick one. We have just finished a week of survey and I have so much to do. Let me tell ya, tickin' off every question, every book and computer screen, every person, can be quite the challenge! Remembering to answer a question during survey can be rough! I'm thinking,"Okay, that was a question; a reference question..where's the form...? WHat? Oh, what was the question...? It was something ref..." EEeeK! Okay my mind is not THAT jumbled but you get the gist! It can be tough. And you're probably thinking,"what an idiot! Anyone can remember that!" Yeah, that and the twenty seven other things I have to remember in that moment! I think we should enhance our staff with Yoga classes. If we held them throughout the day it may teach us to clear our minds.... focus....remain calm....peace and butterflies....
Oh alright! Survey was great. We were busy and I can prove it. C'ya late ta!

Keeping the promise...

I am keeping the promise. Here I am looking at my blog; wondering if anyone else has looked at my blog... I guess it really doesn't matter. For now, I will just add a note or two see where it goes.
As you know, I work in a library. What a wonderful library! We have this brand new library- just one year old! We will be having a silent celebration; and by that I mean we are NOT doing the marching band, newspaper adds, dog-n-pony stuff. We are just having cookies and punch. Sounds so old lady, doesn't it. I feel as though we are a central hub for our community. We have gotten involved with and are utilized by our community... A silent celebration seems dull. But with budget cuts and savings plans implemented, we have to go with what we have. Having stated that, I am sure that we'll still have a good time because we are good time kind of people. Sure, we have the old ladies, have the old men, too. But we also have a lot of youngsters and young families. Our area is growing, good blend of great people. We have a children's librarian that rocks the programming! She has really developed that area of our library and it is booming! Go Girl!! Maybe we'll see you at our One year anniversary. I will save a cookie or two for you. Oh, and some punch. Just show up with a smile and I'll know it's you...

Thing 22: Staying Current

Thing 22: Staying Current This has to be the easiest Thing yet. I look back at my blog everyday. I enjoy some of the first Things I learned, they were fun. The hard stuff didn't start till Thing 10'ish. I will do my best to keep my blog going; not that anyone is reading it... My gift of empty calories for "your" enjoyment may just be empty words anchored to a radial of the world wide web, dangling over the abyss...
Oh well! On my honor, I will maintain my blog using the tools I now know. I will keep up with new tools and apply them to my library when ever possible. I will gift myself 15 minutes a day to view my beautiful creation-of-a-blog and try to write in it so as to let it know that someone- out there- is reading it; that it's dangling over the abyss is guarded and safe... Even if it is only me... I will continue to follow the blogs of my co-workers and the other lucky blogs I have stumbled upon and I will discuss them in stimulating conversations with colleagues! Oh Web 2.0 and Library 2.0! Come *&@!! or high water, I'll be there! Cause you and I have made a pact; we must bring reading back!! Where there are words, I'll be there!

Thing 21: Student 2.0 Tools

Thing 21: Student 2.0 Tools This Thing is a very good Thing. I will use it when I go back to school. What a wonderful way to work through projects and reports. Students around the globe will benefit from this. Getting the word out about it is probably the best we could do because it is self explanatory; enter the information in the calculator and begin. I love it! The step by step help is great. The teacher guide help is wonderful. Getting the knowledge of this site into the school body seems to be the only difficult task and how hard can that be? Just tell a serious student or two...
Could the library use this tool? I don't know. I would have to think about that and get back to you... As for myself? I not only could, but would and will use this tool.

Thing 20: Books 2.0

Thing 20: Books 2.0 First I must say that if you want to enjoy your empty calories on my blog, you are so welcome. I do tend to write in a straight line and don't encrypt my posts or use pictures in the stead of words, but I'm working on that! I think I was taken-aback when I read that first article on Literacy Debate: Online R U Really Reading? WOW are they for real? Times they are a changin'! OOhhh look out the Fahrenheit is rising! That's a catch22 you know... We aren't exactly burning books but we are finding ways around the published word. Isn't that what we are supposed to do? Save a tree, download a book? What a great bumper sticker slogan! It's great how technology is moving, directing us. And, our language is changing. I don't think the Internet is dumbing us up, quite the opposite! There is a wealth of information out there. Too bad the computer screen is square- ya know the whole- thinking outside the box? The box is loaded! And, you have to read it. Why are they saying our kids aren't reading? You have to read to navigate the net. I know this because my seven year old LOVEs the net. She has such a hard time going anywhere because she doesn't stop to read the screen prompts. The net is more than just clicking!!! It's reading!!! Now, off the soap box...

What I am observing in my library about books and reading is it's better than ever! People come from near and far to read whether it be the morning paper, a best seller, or the Internet. Yes, even the Internet. People come to our library to READ all kinds of materials. I am glad we can offer; really glad they come. In defense of paper books, hey, I work in a library! I know that our library will advance as technology advances. Look where we are now... I think Book 2.0 enhances one's reading experience especially because it's a lot of reading...and clicking... What can I say, the Internet... the "BOX" is loaded! I visited each and every site that would load on my computer. WOW lots of stuff in this Thing! Many are appealing. Most, redundant. Hey, not everyone likes that same thing and variety is the spice and I love to cook so, what's a few more ingredients....? If I had time, I might go looking for sites you don't know about, but I don't. You win the "Know it all" prize. Lastly, libraries aren't going away... Sorry all you Nay-Sayers... We started with just a few books years ago and have evolved to meet the needs. We won't stop. We may have to be creative (Thank you Web 2.0) but we will be there...

Thing 17: Podcasts

Thing 17: Podcasts Well, I had to color my hair between Thing 16 and 17. I have kids; I am a patient person but come on!! The way these Things load, or don't in my case...! I must say that the podcast was way better than the YouTube. Again, sorry YouTube! It's probably my computer and to tell you the truth, viewing these Things is not something I would just sit around and do all day. I like the idea of classes offered in podcast, though. I have been to a few podcast classes and they were great. This Thing could be beneficial for the libraries in that we could do training and not all have to drive the country mile to be there.
Okay, I tried to listen to some podcast music on Yahoo- didn't happen- would not load.
I tried to view some podcast videos on Yahoo and after a few attempts I found the painting horse that not only loaded and played, I put it on my blog for the world to see. I'm not going to subscribe to any podcasts right now but I am thankful for the chance to have learned how to find & listen & look at them.

Thing 9: Sharing - slides, photos, databases

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Thing 8 – Web 2.0 tools make communicating easy.

Web 2.0 tools do make communicating easy if you know how to use them. I think a group working together doing the trial/error thing would make it easier. I have set up a Meebo and Twitter account but have no idea who I will communicate with. Some of my co-workers are having a time getting theirs to work. So define easy and then maybe we can communicate better; easier.