NaBloPoMo June - Day 21 - Facebook Class

I taught a "Navigating Facebook" class last night. Interesting subject, and extremely hard to do. If you are on Facebook at all, you probably know why I say that - - they keep changing things, just randomly, all the time, just to frustrate the hell out of all of us.

So I warned everyone, right up front, that everything we convered, anything they learned, would more than likely be obsolete by the time they got back home. That got a bit of a chuckle out of them, but sadly is way too true.....

In fact, the handouts given to me to hand out and use in class? Were just recently downloaded and printed, and as I read through them, I could see things that already were different.

Facebook is a GREAT way to keep up with friends and family members. Facebook is TERRIBLE at trying to keep up with.....maybe someday they will get their act together and quit driving us crazy? Maybe?

Nope, I don't thing so either.

NaBloPoMo June - Day 20 - Random

Nothing really specific to write about today. It's been a hectic week, and my brain is scrambled. So this post will be scrambled also......

• It's hot out. EXTREMELY hot and humid. Clothes-stick-to-your-skin uncomfortable. So what does this place do? Cranks up the A/C to an extreme level, so that even though it is Hades-hotter-than-Hell outside, people are wearing jackets and running mini-space heaters in the offices. It's a bad sign when I open up my office door first thing in the morning and an Arctic blast of cold air rushes over me. A nice middle ground would be appreciated.....

• Working late tonight.....I was asked to lead a "Navigating Facebook" non-credit class this evening. Should be interesting - - the way Facebook can't seem to make up their minds and keep changing things on a minute-by-minute basis, everything they learn tonight will be obsolete by the time they get back home!

• Speaking of classes, I am taking an online class this summer as well. It's an 8-week course, and is pretty interesting. The main issue I have is that there are quite a few things in the way the course is set up. But, that could just be me; when you work with course design and development all day it tends to make one a tad bit "critical."

That's the "scramble" for today. Hopefully tomorrow my brain will be more on one track than it is today!

NaBloPoMo June - Day 19 - Yummmmmmm

I made a HUGE batch of Red Beans 'n' Rice for the office today.....sausage, onions, tomatoes, chunks of smoked sausage, all served with Jasmine Rice.....

The whole office smells amazing......can't wait for lunchtime!

NaBloPoMo June - Day 18 - A New Addition!

My former daughter-in-law (aka the daughter we never had) and her significant other had a baby boy yesterday. Tyler James made his appearance into the world Sunday evening. 7 pounds, 10 ounces of bouncing baby boy.

What makes this extra special is that it was Father's Day, and it was Momma Dawn's Birthday. I cannot imagine a better Father's Day present or Birthday present for the happy couple.

Welcome to the world, little one! SO happy to have you here with us!

NaBloPoMo June - Day 17 - Daddy's Day!

NaBloPoMo June - Day 16 - HOT day

Summer is definitely showing today! 88 degrees, humid, sunny, and unfortunately very, very dry. We need rain. We need it NOW. And we need quite a bit of it.

Mr. Dizzy and I have been working and planning a massive rummage sale for the weekend after the Fourth of July holiday. I have been spending lots of "quality time" in the basement, sorting and pricing items for the sale. I'm beginning to feel like a mushroom, being in the cool, underground cavern.....

So far we have an amazing amount of "stuff" for the sale. Mr. Dizzy has been hard at work cleaning out the barn so we will have a large space to set up all the tables. It's not just our things, but items from his parents, his brother's family, and a couple of friends of mine. It's going to be HUGE!

So if you are in Central Illinois the first weekend in July, specifically the are just North of Decatur, look for the bright pink signs and arrows pointing the way. I'm sure I have something you just can't live without.....  :)

NaBloPoMo June - Day 15 - Conference

Well, the conference is finished. The Keynote Speaker was a wonderful fellow, very nice, very personable, but as a speaker? Not very motivational. He is definitely a "policy" guy, and giving a report in a board room he would probably be in his element. But motivational? Sorry, the session was lacking.....but I'm sure a lot of folks in the audience got some good information out of it. Just not my cup of tea.

I did attend a session on social issue theater productions that was absolutely fantastic! The presenter was very dynamic, engaged her audience, and did a wonderful job. LOVED that session!

The lunch? Um - - probably better left unsaid. (Actually, it probably would have been better left uneaten. Yes, it was THAT bad.)

The problem with me attending this conference? I worked it for so many years, and have very strong feelings on how it should be run. But, since I am out of the loop, I have no say in things, nor do I want a say in anything! But it still bugs me to sit there and see the way some things are done, and know how different it used to be.

All in all, it's not a bad conference, but it could definitely use some changes in procedures. Just my humble opinion.

NaBloPoMo June - Day 14 - Diversity

This afternoon starts the Annual Diversity Conference at our College: "Serving the World Outside Our Door." Just got back from registering and picking up my "swag" - - 

The office I used to work in here was basically in charge of planning and running the conference. Since I have not worked in that office for the past 5 years, I am not directly involved in that anymore, so  I can actually attend it!

Even after 5 years, it feels really strange to be on this side of the Registration table.....

Looking forward to attending some good sessions tomorrow!

NaBloPoMo June - Day 13 - Meds

Well, CVS has the HRT med I need, in stock. At least for the moment. I will have the balance of my current month's prescription, at least. Next month? Anybody's guess.....

But, getting the med from CVS was not without its own hiccups. (Why should anything in my life ever be EASY? What fun would that be?)

I went into CVS and spoke with the lady I had talked to on the phone the day before. She had me speak with one of the pharmacists so that I could get my customer profile set up and they could request the presecription transfer from Walgreens. Everything was going along swimmingly, until it came time to hand over my insurance cards.....

I have 2 insurances - - mine through the College, and a secondary one through Mr. Dizzy's work (which is Caterpillar). I usually use Cat's prescription card, because the meds co-pay is normally a bit cheaper for me.

CVS can't use Cat insurance.

Me: "You don't accept Cat insurance?"

Pharmacist: "Cat doesn't accept US!"

*sigh*

So I turn over my College insurance card, and it was accepted with no problem. So now I may be paying a bit more for the meds, but at least I will HAVE them!

But do NOT even get me started on "Managed Health Care" and all the stupid rules, regulations and red tape. I get so damn sick and tired of jumping through hoops!

NaBloPoMo June - Day 12 - Meds Update

This is NOT going to be pretty. In fact, it is more than likely going to get pretty ugly before it's all over.

Last week, when Walgreens reported to me that they had a "temporary shortage" of my HRT med, they specifically told me that it "wasn't a manufacturer issue" and that it was just that they were "waiting on a delivery from their warehouses."

Well, they lied.

Last night, the Pharmacy Manager told me that it "was a manufacturer issue" and that they could not guarantee when, or even IF, they would be getting any more in.

Mind you, I have to take this med every day. EVERY. DAY.

*sigh*

I have been contacting other pharmacies, and have found one local CVS that still has it in stock. I am stopping there tonight after work and have them call Walgreens to get the balance of my prescription filled. And then since they still have some in stock, hopefully be able to keep getting it.

But, my Doctor's office is on notice that there is a very strong chance that I will be having to change over to something else, AGAIN, very soon. And my options are pretty narrow - - with my system having an extremely low tolerance of the animal-derived HRT meds, the plant-derived ones are few.

This is kinda scary. *keeping fingers crossed*

NaBloPoMo June - Day 11 - Monday.....

Mondays are "blah" days, mostly.

This Monday is no different.

Nothing major, actually, just stuff that I am having to deal with, which makes it a "blah" day.....

• Dealing with Walgreens, who keep shorting me on my prescription refills for my hormone replacement.....they may want to watch out for that, it could get dangerous!
• Dealing with our former doctor's office, who have repeatedly failed to get our medical records sent to our new doctor's office. Since JANUARY. Mine finally arrived at the new doctor's last week; Mr. Dizzy's still has not. Last we heard, they "couldn't find them back in their old records file room." They better hurry and locate them. It may get ugly (See the point above about homone replacement pills)
• Dealing with a Gym that for some reason has not been opening on Saturday mornings when they should be (8:00 AM), which pushes my workout time back, and with my hectic schedule, makes me have to cut my workout short. They better get back on track, or it may get ugly (Again, see the point above about hormone replacement pills)

I need to contact my Gyn doctor's office to let them know what is happening with Walgreens and the pills, I need to contact the Pharmacy Manager at Walgreens and discuss the situation with him (the clerk on Saturday could not, or maybe was unwilling to, give me a decent answer about the situation), will be asking him for the name and contact information for his Regional Rep, and will more than likely wind up having to contact Walgreens Corporate to discuss the matter.

Like I said, it may get ugly. It is NEVER a smart thing to mess with a woman's homones.

Stay tuned.....

NaBloPoMo June - Day 10 - Lazy Sunday

Things for a lazy Sunday - - 

• Sunshine outside and a light breeze blowing in the windows and doors
• Lazy gray Carmichael Kitty sleeping in the bay window sun
• Pot Roast in the crockpot making the house smell yummy (Roasted Veggies to be added soon)
• (Not so) Lil Dude padding through the house, panther-like, following me from room to room
• Curling up on the loveseat, with my textbook (summer class), reading with a kitty curled up and pressed against my leg

All part of a lovely weekend day......

NaBloPoMo June - Day 9 - Slug-a-bugs, Yo

Slug-a-bugs.

That is what I have in my house today....





Disgusting, isn't it?

(Think it's time I joined them for a nap!)

NaBloPoMo June - Day 8

Last night was a great night....met with "The Ladies" for dinner. And it was yummy!

"The Ladies" is a group of my classmates. Some of us have known each other since Kindergarten. Considering that we have been out of school for a  *cough*  couple of years  *cough*  that means a lot of history there!

Last night we met at one classmate's cabin on the lake of the small town we grew up in. It's a cute little place that she and her husband fixed up and decorated, and it's a fun place to meet. The setting is calm and peaceful, right on the lakefront, with a beautiful view of the water from the windows or the deck.

For dinner, Indian Tacos were on the menu. I had never had them, and was looking forward to trying them. In a word, they were AMAZING. The taco "shell" is actually Navajo Fry Bread, which then get the taco toppings put on them - - refried beans, taco meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, etc.

Yes. AMAZING.

So, of course I had to go online and find a recipe, because this is something that I definitely WILL be making for Dear Mr. Dizzy. Here is a link for the Navajo Fry Bread recipe, as well as a picture tutorial on Indian Tacos that I found on the Pioneer Woman's blog:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/10/indian-fry-bread-and-indian-tacos/ 

Once I fix them myself, I will definitely be posting the recipe on my Recipe Blog.

Give them a try. I bet you will love them, too!

NaBloPoMo June - Day 7 - Something New

The prompt question was "What is something you'd like to jump into if you had more time/money?"

Well, THAT'S an easy one.

I would jump right into retirement! But I would not just sit around and do nothing. Nope, no way. Retirement would give me more time to do more card-making, mini birdhouse painting, and other crafty "stuff." I would also sign up for sewing classes to learn more about my machine and how to do more than just hem or sew a straight seam.

I would be one very, very busy lady. And would love it.

But the economy the way it is today, retirement is a LONG, LONG way off.....*sigh*

Maybe someday.

NaBloPoMo June - Day 6 - New Projects

Today's prompt question was, "How do you feel about starting new projects?"

Um, well, okay I guess. I have had to do enough of them. And still am doing them.  :)

One new project I started a couple of years ago was taking online courses to complete my Mater Online Teacher (MOT) Certificate. I had never taken an online class before, and since I had just recently started working in my present job in the online field, figured it was about time to do so. Not only would I learn more about working in the online environment, I would be able to use my own experiences as an online student.

Last year I completed my MOT Certificate. Yay me! I am done with classes, online or otherwise. Right? RIGHT??

Wrong.

My supervisor found an online class titled "Supporting Students Online" and has talked me into taking it alnog with her.

*sigh*

Here I am, back in the saddle again, student-wise.

So, if I didn't deal with with starting new projects, I would have been in big trouble the past few years, and would continue to be, wouldn't I? Just sayin' is all.  :)

NaBloPoMo June - Day 5 - Jumping In

For June NaBloPoMo, BlogHer gives "writing prompts" to give bloggers ideas of what to write about. Since I am trying to get back into the swing of this blogging "thing" and having some issues with finding topics, I'm going to be using some of these. Thank you, BlogHer!

The topic posted today is, "What is something you recently jumped into?"

I don't know that this would be classified as "recent," but 5 years ago I decided to make a major job change. I was an Administrative Assistant to one of the Vice President's here at the College, and had been in the administrative clerical field for more than 30 years. But my real love was working with computers. I had completed my A.A.S. Degree in Computer Information Systems a few years before that, and used the knowledge gained there to enhance my job.

It was nice, but it was not what I wanted to do my entire life. However, with the job market the way it is, I just counted myself lucky to have a job, kept my hand in for learning the new programs that were coming out, and called it good.

Then the Online Support Specialist resigned, and the opening was posted. As I read the job description, something inside me woke up. This job - - THIS job - - is what I wanted to do. It was the field I wanted to be in. It was the type of work I wanted to do.

I was scared to death thinking of making a change this major. I fretted and worried and lost sleep thinking about it. I drove Mr. Dizzy CRAZY with all my nervousness! But, being the loving, supportive husband that he is, he told me, "Get off your ass and apply already! We both need to get some sleep!" (Actually, not exactly in those words, but you get the idea.....)

So I applied.And amazingly enough, I got it!

It was rough at first, switching over to a completely different line of work, but thankfully I had been at the College enough years to know who to ask for help, and what to ask for. I have been through four different supervisors in the past 5 years - - the first one temporary, then a Director, then a Dean when the Director left, and then another Director (who thankfully is still here). The current Director and I work together very well, and have taken the department in a completely different direction than the one it was heading in (and it is much better for the change).

If I had let my initial fears get the better of me and not applied, I would not have this amazing job, working with the most amazing people on campus. I am glad I allowed myself to "jump in" and take the chance!

NaBloPoMo June - Day 4 - Well, It's Started!

Today starts the beginning of a new semester. It will have its crazy, crackpot moments, I'm sure! Summer usually isn't as bad, but still has its ups and downs.

Here's keeping my fingers crossed that I make it through the day with my nails only halfway chewed down and most of the hair left on my head.

And if you think I'm just talking about the STUDENTS, well - - think again!  :-)

Wish me luck!

Update: It's been a ZOO, as expected!

NaBloPoMo June - Day 3 - New Semester

Extremely short post here - - it's really hard finding things to post about when I've been away so darn long! It'll get better.....really it will.....

Today is the "calm before the storm" since tomorrow starts the Summer Semester at work. The first week of any semester is usually extremely hectic and a bit crazy; even though Summer is usually smaller and not quite as crazy, it still has its moments. So it's good to be able to enjoy a day of peace and quiet before it all hits tomorrow morning.

I have been getting my "craft" on lately..... making cards, projects, and lots of other crafty "stuff". Hopefully during this NaBloPoMo month of June I will be able to post pictures of some of the things I've been making lately.

So stay tuned.....

NaBloPoMo June - Day 2 - Diamond Lil

I have decided this is my new motto (courtesy of Diamond Lil):