Early Friday

I struggled to get the keys out of my purse this morning to unlock the office door.  Had to put down multiple things:  purse, iced tea, notebook, papers from the meeting I attended yesterday that were still in my car since I came straight home.  After all the fiddling around, I put the key in the lock and realize the door is already unlocked.  I hadn't noticed a co-worker's car - 'cuz she was driving her daughter's car.  She greeted me warmly and said excitedly 'I brought you something'.  In her hand, a Starbucks latte!  Just what I needed to get the remaining cobwebs out of my brain.

We chatted hurriedly about stuff - she is off most of next week for a medical procedure that will have her out for a few days - and we're working through the 'new' budget process (necessitated by our new finance system).  Great way to start the day - but since I went in early to prep for a big meeting, I felt a little on edge.  Thing that needed doing weren't getting done - but oh well.  You have to let these moments happen and being a manager means time is never (rarely) my own and my agenda at any given moment is subject to change.  Go with the flow.  Enjoy the moment.  Think back to where we were six years ago and marvel how far we've come and savor it.  It pays to be consistently and persistently nice - 'cuz most folks come around eventually.

Of course it also helps to have leadership at the helm that sets fairly firm expectations of professionalism and courtesy - so the shit that used to happen doesn't happen anymore - or if it does, there are consequences.  Our building is a nice place these days and I'm happy about that.

The morning moved quickly and the big meeting went swimmingly well.  Major task lists still in play but you have to feel good when your boss says 'thank you for all you've done on the massive pile of stuff I've dumped on you lately'.  Yes, you have....but that's OK.  That's what he's supposed to do and I'm doing what I'm supposed to do by getting it all done.  :-)

Shortly after the meeting, I emailed to let him know that I was planning to leave around 2PM today - AND I DID!  The only bad part of that is the overwhelming urge to take a nap - which I am fighting because it will inevitably lead to me feeling terrible upon awakening and then I won't sleep soundly tonight.

A wonderful weekend looms ahead with much to do around the homestead.  The weather appears to be holding at 'beautiful' and the yard is beckoning for some Spring clean up.  I'm also anxious to get veggies in the ground but it's still early in March and I think I'm going to wait just a bit longer.  We will likely get more rain - we typically do.

J. is taking B.'s car (in one of B.'s recent letters, he confirmed her name is Monica) to get a non-operating fan checked out.  We have a buyer! and with luck, the car will be off our insurance entirely and out of our driveway!  A win-win.  B. knows we are working on selling it - he is already thinking about buying a used Jeep when he's officially stationed somewhere and has privileges to leave the base.

Tonight, a great night's sleep and sleeping in tomorrow - then getting busy.  First on the list of tasks is to get the damn taxes done so I can get that off my shoulders.  Three sets this year - us and each 'kid'. It's always a task and a half...but it must be done.

Happy Friday!  We are having fish 'n chips for dinner!