The girl that I replaced when I took my present job goes to church with TK. In conversation, she shared that she knew Beth was a believer.
It makes my heart happy to know, for sure, that she's with the Lord. Now I can truly say
Rest in the Lord, my sweet friend.
God bless you
:o)
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Sunday, June 25, 2006
An Hour Well Spent
I just spent an hour reading random blogs. I went to the main site for blogger.com and hit the random blog button. I've been around the world twice. Once with a student traveling by train through Europe and once with a photographer, now somewhere in Spain. The photos were breath taking.
I saw some blogs that frightened the daylights out of me. One was titled "Arkansas Razor Baptist" and had some awful things written in it. There were some written by Sunni Muslims and some just outright trash.
Some were very colorful and I wonder how they make them do all the graphics and sounds. A little bit of computer knowledge would be useful.
I've been to South Africa and then off to Finland. What a trip I've taken. I did find one written in Portuguese but I could only pick out one or two words I recognized.
This has been a lot of fun on a rainy Sunday afternoon in Northern Virginia, USA
God bless you all
:o)
I saw some blogs that frightened the daylights out of me. One was titled "Arkansas Razor Baptist" and had some awful things written in it. There were some written by Sunni Muslims and some just outright trash.
Some were very colorful and I wonder how they make them do all the graphics and sounds. A little bit of computer knowledge would be useful.
I've been to South Africa and then off to Finland. What a trip I've taken. I did find one written in Portuguese but I could only pick out one or two words I recognized.
This has been a lot of fun on a rainy Sunday afternoon in Northern Virginia, USA
God bless you all
:o)
Saturday, June 24, 2006
A Tough Decision to Make
I've decided that I'm going to skip Beth's wake. Emotionally I'm a wreck over the two of them and after seeing Patrick I'm worn thin.
The following is an excerpt from an email sent to all employees:
"On Saturday, July 1, the family will be at Beth's residence. They would like to invite Beth's friends and coworkers to drop by any time from about 11-3. There will not be a program or service.
Rather, it will be an opportunity for people to gather together informally in the home she loved, meet other people who knew Beth, look through photo albums, and even play with her dog. He hopes it will be a time for people from different parts of Beth's life to meet and mingle, exchange stories, and learn something about Beth they might not have known before."
I don't believe I can attend this gathering. My heart is sad to know that there will NOT be a service for Beth. I don't think her family were believers. This isn't the reason I'm staying away. I just feel sad that there may be a chance she's not with the Lord.
I may be selfish for not going, but I've made my peace and said my "Good-byes" in my own way. I feel that she knows how I feel and knows I'll miss her and feel bad that she can't fulfill her hopes and dreams.
Others may object that I'm not going, but they'll get over it. I'm being selfish and I can't torment myself any more.
I wish I knew for sure that you would rest in the Lord, my sweet friend.
You were very kind to me.
God bless you, Beth
The following is an excerpt from an email sent to all employees:
"On Saturday, July 1, the family will be at Beth's residence. They would like to invite Beth's friends and coworkers to drop by any time from about 11-3. There will not be a program or service.
Rather, it will be an opportunity for people to gather together informally in the home she loved, meet other people who knew Beth, look through photo albums, and even play with her dog. He hopes it will be a time for people from different parts of Beth's life to meet and mingle, exchange stories, and learn something about Beth they might not have known before."
I don't believe I can attend this gathering. My heart is sad to know that there will NOT be a service for Beth. I don't think her family were believers. This isn't the reason I'm staying away. I just feel sad that there may be a chance she's not with the Lord.
I may be selfish for not going, but I've made my peace and said my "Good-byes" in my own way. I feel that she knows how I feel and knows I'll miss her and feel bad that she can't fulfill her hopes and dreams.
Others may object that I'm not going, but they'll get over it. I'm being selfish and I can't torment myself any more.
I wish I knew for sure that you would rest in the Lord, my sweet friend.
You were very kind to me.
God bless you, Beth
Thursday, June 22, 2006
One More Wake to Go
Today I made the trek with many of my coworkers to the outlying suburbs to pay my respects to Patrick. Wakes are so hard. More so when the deceased looks like he is sleeping. It appears that his injuries were blunt force trauma to his chest and midsection. There were no visible bruises or swelling on his face. He looked like he was going to sit up and say "Hey Joanna - loan me a dollar. I need a soda."
We used to do that, back and forth. I'd lend him a buck, he'd buy me a taco. He was my first friend at this job. I'd sit on the desk in his cube and yank the cord on his mouse or jiggle his keyboard. It would infuriate him, but he'd give me that grin and tell me I had better watch it.
Patrick had just turned 21, ten days before his accident. That's what so hard to swallow. He had his whole life ahead of him. He loved living here in Virginia but missed his native Florida and treasured the quick trips he'd make back home, wearing cutoffs on the plane so he and his Dad could go fishing right from the airport. His Dad said he missed him so and cried on my shoulder saying he was his baby boy.
I've had my closure with Patrick. Now I wait another week and I'll have closure for Beth at her wake.
Rest in the Lord my sweet friend.
Red, I loved you like a Mom.
God bless you.
We used to do that, back and forth. I'd lend him a buck, he'd buy me a taco. He was my first friend at this job. I'd sit on the desk in his cube and yank the cord on his mouse or jiggle his keyboard. It would infuriate him, but he'd give me that grin and tell me I had better watch it.
Patrick had just turned 21, ten days before his accident. That's what so hard to swallow. He had his whole life ahead of him. He loved living here in Virginia but missed his native Florida and treasured the quick trips he'd make back home, wearing cutoffs on the plane so he and his Dad could go fishing right from the airport. His Dad said he missed him so and cried on my shoulder saying he was his baby boy.
I've had my closure with Patrick. Now I wait another week and I'll have closure for Beth at her wake.
Rest in the Lord my sweet friend.
Red, I loved you like a Mom.
God bless you.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
A Sad Loss of Life
Last night, two young coworkers were killed in a nasty car wreck. I worked daily with these two. The driver was the young man I replaced when his clearance went away and the young woman was the one who taught me how to do his job.
It has been a very very trying day at the office. Everyone and I mean everyone cried at one time or another. These two kids (I call them that because anybody under 50 is a kid to me)made quite an impact on the office and were very well liked.
We learned this afternoon of the sererity of the crash. The car became airborne, about 10 feet, flew into the woods, hit two trees and then went nose first into a third. Neither wore seat belts. Estimated speed - 100MPH
It's a lot easier to be mad and sad than just plain sad. We'll learn more tomorrow but there definately is a hole in the office today.
God bless them.
It has been a very very trying day at the office. Everyone and I mean everyone cried at one time or another. These two kids (I call them that because anybody under 50 is a kid to me)made quite an impact on the office and were very well liked.
We learned this afternoon of the sererity of the crash. The car became airborne, about 10 feet, flew into the woods, hit two trees and then went nose first into a third. Neither wore seat belts. Estimated speed - 100MPH
It's a lot easier to be mad and sad than just plain sad. We'll learn more tomorrow but there definately is a hole in the office today.
God bless them.
Friday, June 16, 2006
ZZZzzzz nk
Gosh I'm tired. It's been a long time since I've felt this beat. Almost like I was out 'wolfing' all night. The last 2 nights I've not slept well at all. The night before last I woke at 2:30 and never really went back to sleep. Last night it was 3:00. I don't think it's any one thing that's got me, just a lot of little stuff. Nothing really serious.
Work is fine, but so very, very busy. My boss is the best and I'd do anything for her. I'll work a little OT tomorrow, but not a lot. I'll try to sleep a little longer this evening.
I'll check in tomorrow.
God bless you all.
Work is fine, but so very, very busy. My boss is the best and I'd do anything for her. I'll work a little OT tomorrow, but not a lot. I'll try to sleep a little longer this evening.
I'll check in tomorrow.
God bless you all.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Another Wierd Week
Talk about shocks. On Wednesday, Jeff was asked to leave the company. He was escorted out of the building and his office was locked. In all of my travels I've not been able to learn why. All I get from anybody that might know, is that 'he was let go'. I feel bad for him. If he has lost his clearance, he won't work in this field again. He is a family man with teens in school. I pray he will be OK.
Slavica has been stressed. One can see it in her face. But if I suspect correctly, she will plod on. She seems to be a survivor. We still have a lot of trouble spots to work out, but she's working at it. There are changes to be made and accepted. That's the biggest hurdle. Most people don't like or want change. I still have faith in this project.
Hardest thing for me about losing Jeff is he recommended me for a Lightening Bolt bonus. Wrote some very kind words about me. Slavica gave me the check about 2 hours after Jeff disappeared. I was overwhelmed because I couldn't say thank you. I suppose I could call him, but I think it best to stay away. I don't want to be in the middle of anything.
Last week was the first week of the month, so I was busy with Monthly Report stuff. I was the first to submit completed reports. Now that the main office is not changing the format for awhile, it's easy for me to keep up with the main roster and make changes as we go along.
I worked 6 hours OT again yesterday. I still can use the extra cash. I've got the high school reunion trip to pay for and in my mind-of-minds I can hear Rio calling louder and louder to me. I don't know if I'll ever make it. BJ has her life with JC now and they are talking about getting married in Cancun early next year. (Cancun has never called my name, so it's no big temptation for me)I know she would like for me to be there. But I'll have to see. I am thinking about going to Atlanta for Christmas, but those plans aren't even standing anywhere near the concrete bag. If push came to shove, I'd go to Rio tomorrow.
Which brings me to my Portuguese lessons. Still studying. The "Portuguese For Dummies" book is really very helpful. Where Rosetta Stone gives a regimented learning pattern, the book gives me the conversational words I'd like to learn. All in all, I'm so glad I'm doing this.
Today is going to be busy. Church early (It's Russia Sunday), then home by 10:00 to see when Steve will come by to fix my leaky faucets and jons. Still will have to work in a time when I can do grocery shopping. There is no food in this house. Last night I had to run out to pick up dinner. David and I had been talking about Taco Bell on Friday, so I got me a big Grilled Steak Burrito. YUM - my diet may not have agreed, but my stomach loved it.
Dear reader, have a good week and God bless you all.
Slavica has been stressed. One can see it in her face. But if I suspect correctly, she will plod on. She seems to be a survivor. We still have a lot of trouble spots to work out, but she's working at it. There are changes to be made and accepted. That's the biggest hurdle. Most people don't like or want change. I still have faith in this project.
Hardest thing for me about losing Jeff is he recommended me for a Lightening Bolt bonus. Wrote some very kind words about me. Slavica gave me the check about 2 hours after Jeff disappeared. I was overwhelmed because I couldn't say thank you. I suppose I could call him, but I think it best to stay away. I don't want to be in the middle of anything.
Last week was the first week of the month, so I was busy with Monthly Report stuff. I was the first to submit completed reports. Now that the main office is not changing the format for awhile, it's easy for me to keep up with the main roster and make changes as we go along.
I worked 6 hours OT again yesterday. I still can use the extra cash. I've got the high school reunion trip to pay for and in my mind-of-minds I can hear Rio calling louder and louder to me. I don't know if I'll ever make it. BJ has her life with JC now and they are talking about getting married in Cancun early next year. (Cancun has never called my name, so it's no big temptation for me)I know she would like for me to be there. But I'll have to see. I am thinking about going to Atlanta for Christmas, but those plans aren't even standing anywhere near the concrete bag. If push came to shove, I'd go to Rio tomorrow.
Which brings me to my Portuguese lessons. Still studying. The "Portuguese For Dummies" book is really very helpful. Where Rosetta Stone gives a regimented learning pattern, the book gives me the conversational words I'd like to learn. All in all, I'm so glad I'm doing this.
Today is going to be busy. Church early (It's Russia Sunday), then home by 10:00 to see when Steve will come by to fix my leaky faucets and jons. Still will have to work in a time when I can do grocery shopping. There is no food in this house. Last night I had to run out to pick up dinner. David and I had been talking about Taco Bell on Friday, so I got me a big Grilled Steak Burrito. YUM - my diet may not have agreed, but my stomach loved it.
Dear reader, have a good week and God bless you all.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Week End - Part Two
I worked 6 hours yesterday. Got a lot done. Jeff bought us all pizza for lunch. It was a very nice thing for him to do for us. There were several of the reviewers working, and I was working case notes. Through the morning all could hear these words coming from me. "I live for case notes." But all in all, I got a leg up on them and think I can maintain them through this week.
Afterwards, I came home and did a little laundry. There wasn't a lot because I had some some on the Monday we were off. Remember, it was a short week. Fixed a nice bacon wrapped filet (on sale at Safeway the week before) as a reward for working.
I managed to sleep till 6:30 this morning and for me, that's sleeping in. Had some coffee, got a shower and then ran to do my grocery shopping. I had called Diane T, my hairdresser yesterday and made an appointment for 3:00 today. Yes, she is open on Sundays. I needed to get a birthday gift for JC, BJ's boyfriend and one other thing for Dana, my nephew's wife. Before I left for Diane's, I ran to Target and found exactly what I wanted, except I zonked in finding anything for BJ, who also has a birthday this month.
I still had energy at this point, so I ran over the Fair Oaks Mall and got my glasses repaired. Those doggone bazillion dollar glasses are crap!! 2nd failure in a month. We'll see how long they last. Then I was off to Diane's for my haircut.
Having a 3 minute commute has made me forget just how much I love my car. Diane's shop is about 25 minutes away. The sun was shining and I had my Bossa Nova in the CD player. I know I shouldn't have done it, but I had to blow the carbon out so I roared her up to 80 for a stretch. She just loves 80 MPH. I did slow down at that point. I was cruising along and rounded the bend and saw a backup. I slowed to almost 1.5 MPH and managed to catch a glimpse of a car crash up ahead. I called Diane to say I wasn't going to be there right at 3, but I was on my way. It was quite a wreck. One vehicle, a SUV was upside down, facing the wrong direction, all windows blown out and air bags full. I couldn't see anybody still in the car. The other was a four door of some sort, one door torn off and one door wide open with someone on the seat. It had just happened, dust and smoke still hanging in the air, bits and pieces of car all over the roadway. About 4 other cars had stopped to help, several were on cell phones. No cops were there yet. I made it through the congestion and was only 7 minutes late. Stuff like that reminds me to quit driving like a fool and let the carbon build up in the carburetor (if I have one). When I came back from Diane's there was a backup for about 5 miles. That was over an hour later.
While at Diane's I was telling her I was having a tough time deciding on a gift for BJ, when she mentioned a gift certificate. What a great idea. BJ gets her hair done twice a month as well as manicure, nail fills and pedicures. What a great idea. My shopping is done. :o)
It was a busy day, I was out and about but it was a good day. I'm bushed now and am heading up to bed. I'm going in at 6 tomorrow morning (UGH) because I'll have to lose an hour on Tuesday for an appointment away from the office. (No - not an interview)
Still studying Portuguese. Bought a 'Portuguese for Dummies' book. It helps.
All in all, it was a good weekend.
God bless you all.
Afterwards, I came home and did a little laundry. There wasn't a lot because I had some some on the Monday we were off. Remember, it was a short week. Fixed a nice bacon wrapped filet (on sale at Safeway the week before) as a reward for working.
I managed to sleep till 6:30 this morning and for me, that's sleeping in. Had some coffee, got a shower and then ran to do my grocery shopping. I had called Diane T, my hairdresser yesterday and made an appointment for 3:00 today. Yes, she is open on Sundays. I needed to get a birthday gift for JC, BJ's boyfriend and one other thing for Dana, my nephew's wife. Before I left for Diane's, I ran to Target and found exactly what I wanted, except I zonked in finding anything for BJ, who also has a birthday this month.
I still had energy at this point, so I ran over the Fair Oaks Mall and got my glasses repaired. Those doggone bazillion dollar glasses are crap!! 2nd failure in a month. We'll see how long they last. Then I was off to Diane's for my haircut.
Having a 3 minute commute has made me forget just how much I love my car. Diane's shop is about 25 minutes away. The sun was shining and I had my Bossa Nova in the CD player. I know I shouldn't have done it, but I had to blow the carbon out so I roared her up to 80 for a stretch. She just loves 80 MPH. I did slow down at that point. I was cruising along and rounded the bend and saw a backup. I slowed to almost 1.5 MPH and managed to catch a glimpse of a car crash up ahead. I called Diane to say I wasn't going to be there right at 3, but I was on my way. It was quite a wreck. One vehicle, a SUV was upside down, facing the wrong direction, all windows blown out and air bags full. I couldn't see anybody still in the car. The other was a four door of some sort, one door torn off and one door wide open with someone on the seat. It had just happened, dust and smoke still hanging in the air, bits and pieces of car all over the roadway. About 4 other cars had stopped to help, several were on cell phones. No cops were there yet. I made it through the congestion and was only 7 minutes late. Stuff like that reminds me to quit driving like a fool and let the carbon build up in the carburetor (if I have one). When I came back from Diane's there was a backup for about 5 miles. That was over an hour later.
While at Diane's I was telling her I was having a tough time deciding on a gift for BJ, when she mentioned a gift certificate. What a great idea. BJ gets her hair done twice a month as well as manicure, nail fills and pedicures. What a great idea. My shopping is done. :o)
It was a busy day, I was out and about but it was a good day. I'm bushed now and am heading up to bed. I'm going in at 6 tomorrow morning (UGH) because I'll have to lose an hour on Tuesday for an appointment away from the office. (No - not an interview)
Still studying Portuguese. Bought a 'Portuguese for Dummies' book. It helps.
All in all, it was a good weekend.
God bless you all.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Yawnnnnnn
Good Morning All,
My coffee and I are sitting here trying to remember this past week. It was a decent week. Work was just fine, busy but no real complications. One of our reviewers changed locations and will no longer be working from our office. What a loss. She was a great gal. And another reviewer has left the company. He was one of the very first who welcomed me when I started with the company. He is a VERY large man; tall and quite hefty. Married to a tiny little girl, but they make an adorable couple. He was one of the few who urged me to start my Portuguese language lessons. In fact, he even brought me a dictionary and grammar book he had used years ago when he dated a girl who spoke fluent Portuguese. I will miss his bright smile and sense of humor.
Speaking of my Portuguese lettons, they are coming along. I have discovered if I don't study at least 15 minutes every day, I lose it. I took a series of the online tests and for the most part I'm doing OK, but to my standards, I stink. In a series of ten different lessons I had three 100s, four were over 95, one was over 90 and the other two were 87 and 88. I realize that is an average of 95.9 but I think I should be doing better. (Good grief-am I ever glad I didn't go on to school. I'd drive myself nuts) I want to be able to say more than "O gato e branco". I know the cat is white. :o) Obrigada Brasil..........
I've been in a bit of a funk this past week. It's reminds me of the little depression I sometimes feel in the middle of the winter. I know it will pass, but I really don't like myself like this. YUK
I'm going to start making plans for my Labor Day trek to the Midwest for my high school reunion. I'll have to leave from Reagan National because Dulles has no direct flights to Milwaukee. I can remember when it was called Billy Mitchell Field. That was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back. In my mind's eye I can remember taking my first flight. No boarding the plane from a covered walkway. Those were the days when you walked across the tarmac and hiked up the steps. It had a rather romantic flair to it. You greeted arriving passengers from the gate, which was outside behind a short chain link fence. You could see the planes coming in, landing and watching the stairs wheeled to the side of the aircraft. The doors would open and the 'stewardess' would push the heavy door back against the plane. And one by one the passengers would come down the stairs. Then your passenger would appear in the door and if the mood struck you (and it always did, me)you could jump up and down, wave and yell. Oh those were the good old days of flying. Now it's more like a cattle call. Anyway (boy, I drifted on that one)I'll be finding a reasonable fare and hotel near the airport. I've decided to not try to stay with the relatives. I'm too much of an early bird. I wake up with the chickens and don't like lying in bed till my hosts get up. Sometimes that can take hours. So this way, I can turn on the tv, have some coffee and take forever in the bathroom, if I need to. I'm going to try to visit my old neighborhoods and of course the cemetery. I haven't visited my folks for quite a few years now. I want to make sure they're still there.
Well, I've rambled on and on long enough.
I'll post more later.
God bless you all.
My coffee and I are sitting here trying to remember this past week. It was a decent week. Work was just fine, busy but no real complications. One of our reviewers changed locations and will no longer be working from our office. What a loss. She was a great gal. And another reviewer has left the company. He was one of the very first who welcomed me when I started with the company. He is a VERY large man; tall and quite hefty. Married to a tiny little girl, but they make an adorable couple. He was one of the few who urged me to start my Portuguese language lessons. In fact, he even brought me a dictionary and grammar book he had used years ago when he dated a girl who spoke fluent Portuguese. I will miss his bright smile and sense of humor.
Speaking of my Portuguese lettons, they are coming along. I have discovered if I don't study at least 15 minutes every day, I lose it. I took a series of the online tests and for the most part I'm doing OK, but to my standards, I stink. In a series of ten different lessons I had three 100s, four were over 95, one was over 90 and the other two were 87 and 88. I realize that is an average of 95.9 but I think I should be doing better. (Good grief-am I ever glad I didn't go on to school. I'd drive myself nuts) I want to be able to say more than "O gato e branco". I know the cat is white. :o) Obrigada Brasil..........
I've been in a bit of a funk this past week. It's reminds me of the little depression I sometimes feel in the middle of the winter. I know it will pass, but I really don't like myself like this. YUK
I'm going to start making plans for my Labor Day trek to the Midwest for my high school reunion. I'll have to leave from Reagan National because Dulles has no direct flights to Milwaukee. I can remember when it was called Billy Mitchell Field. That was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back. In my mind's eye I can remember taking my first flight. No boarding the plane from a covered walkway. Those were the days when you walked across the tarmac and hiked up the steps. It had a rather romantic flair to it. You greeted arriving passengers from the gate, which was outside behind a short chain link fence. You could see the planes coming in, landing and watching the stairs wheeled to the side of the aircraft. The doors would open and the 'stewardess' would push the heavy door back against the plane. And one by one the passengers would come down the stairs. Then your passenger would appear in the door and if the mood struck you (and it always did, me)you could jump up and down, wave and yell. Oh those were the good old days of flying. Now it's more like a cattle call. Anyway (boy, I drifted on that one)I'll be finding a reasonable fare and hotel near the airport. I've decided to not try to stay with the relatives. I'm too much of an early bird. I wake up with the chickens and don't like lying in bed till my hosts get up. Sometimes that can take hours. So this way, I can turn on the tv, have some coffee and take forever in the bathroom, if I need to. I'm going to try to visit my old neighborhoods and of course the cemetery. I haven't visited my folks for quite a few years now. I want to make sure they're still there.
Well, I've rambled on and on long enough.
I'll post more later.
God bless you all.
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