Kelly in Kansas

It is the start of a brand new year. A year I totally never expected to be what it already is. The first year on this earth without Mom. But I know mentally she is in a better place but emotionally I miss her like hell. We (Dad and I) are coping as best we respectively can. I am still learning to let myself not feel like all of the responsibility it still on me. But I will get there.

I am already doing better at focusing on one task at a time. Most importantly, I am acknowledging that I cannot do everything all of the time. And, not taking time out to have some fun and be with friends does not make Kelly a fun person to be around. So, I deserve the non-work/non-responsibility parts of life that everyone else enjoys on a regular basis.
 
I read the papers and presentations that will be part of one session that I chair at one of our annual professional conferences later this week. I chair sessions each of the last two mornings. Of course, I much prefer to present at the beginning of a conference than at the end. But, the timing will allow us to take the direct flights each day and the return flight from Boston is at dinnertime, anyway. It may mean spending the night in KC if we are too tired when we return but, since I can't pick up Molly until the next morning, that will be fine.

I have finished everything I can do for my taxes until the official paperwork starts arriving in the mail later this month. This is definitely the first time I have been this far ahead. And I have a better feel for balancing out my spending this year from the get go. Changing accountants was definitely one of the positives that came out of a tragic situation.
As I reflected today, I wondered if I still want it to be the Christmas season because, as long as it is, it will not be the anniversary of Mom's heart attack, death, and funeral. I am so glad Dad will be gone with friends on a cruise for the final part. And we will get to spend an evening out in Kansas City the night before he leaves on the train. It will give both of us a chance to connect with mom's friends there. Her best one was dealing with our own husband's lengthy illness and ultimate death and was unable to make it. She was and is always so cheerful. We will definitely have  a good time meeting up with her. And, our work with teachers the next day as Dad is already a few states away on the train will be fun - especially with our guest speaker coming in. I hope to stay to do some research the next day at the National Archives - some great records I want to look at.
I should have an easier time this upcoming semester getting in my hours. I am not sure all the people that think they have to know realize I spent more hours than I was supposed to do - primarily by needing to come up on days I did not have office hours. But I have moved from Mon/Wed/Thurs to Mon/Thurs/Fri given that we have department meetings every Friday.

I was getting a good start on my writing a few days ago and will dig in more the next few days before we go on our trip. The only two sessions I have to go to are the ones I am chairing and that is simply all I have to get done.

I imagine there will be some correspondence with Newark on two fronts given that everyone is 'back on duty' on Monday. It will be nice to solidify some things. And, in many ways, tomorrow is a work day for me.

I caught up with some old family friends today and, as a result, Molly has a new canine pal.

I linked my Slideshare account to my LinkedIn account and encouraged my fellow presenters to do so the same.

I am so glad that the university does not start classes again until  AFTER Martin Luther King, Jr's, birthday this year. It just makes sense and gives faculty almost another week to do research/writing.
Happy New Year!

Labels: Dad, Happy New Year, holidays, Molly, Mom, school

It's the end of summer, or at least the end of "summer vacation". I'm trying to get everything caught up while also starting off the new year ahead of the game. This time last year I was busy getting ready for a non-academic job interview and that consumed quite a bit of my energy - considering changing course and all of that. (In the end, it all worked out and I didn't make the move. But I'm a firm believer in knowing that it's possible to make a change is what makes you happy in your current position. Feeling "stuck" is what makes you unhappy and it seems especially prevalent in the ivory tower world of tenure.)

Big book project has an imminent deadline and I made significant progress the last two days on a variety of tasks about which I was waiting to hear back from other people I'm also trying to keep the return to campus work at bay given that some of us don't realize not everyone is actually back. Usually I am on the road this time of the summer since it's my first chance to get away but I effectively managed that last month so I felt ahead of the game.

I'm at the farm right now. The only down note being that one set of folders was accidentally left behind but I made it less of a deal and will just have to do that catching up Thursday and Friday instead. At least I didn't leave behind the main laptop. That would have meant a return trip and I didn't have the energy for that.

I fit in some swimming today. I couldn't work outside because it was raining cats and dogs this morning and that made it take some effort to get Molly to do her morning thing. And now that it has dried out it is back up to almost 90 degrees so I will see what tomorrow morning holds. I didn't put out the granular weed killer given I was afraid the 30% chance of heavy showers might materialize.

Out here, I am trying to catch up from not spending much time out here since Thanksgiving. It was just too lonely without Shadow and, after adopting Molly, I had to give her time to adjust before going back and forth. She loves adventuring out here - I just have to keep her from straying off the beaten path too far since she's not aware that there are many more critters out here that would consider her a good snack.

I have a personal situation that is forcing me to be more patient than I've ever been and to NOT be my usual self and plan too far ahead. When I feel overwhelmed by it, I just try to concentrate on the task at hand and give myself a short time frame to make the next step and then it all seems to go away. I'm so used to just going after what I want but it's certainly not appropriate in this case nor will it achieve desired results. It will be an excellent lesson in not feeling like all of the responsibility is on my shoulders.

Meanwhile, back to school prep.

Labels: Molly, summer, swimming, vacation, weeds

It rained a bit overnight - not enough to keep me from weedeating and just enough to put the weedkiller down without having to haul the hoses out.

Molly is feeling more comfortable out here. She did great on the trip even though she had a few intrusions into her comfort zone that were a bit too sudden. It is funny, tough, how she still barks at the ice maker when it drops ice.

I have some work to review and chapters to review but the best news is that the larger project is now much more manageable.

I went to the farmers' market on Friday and Thusday went to the orchards in Missouri to get peaches for Mom. She even felt good enough to make peach cobbler for Dad.

Right now, the last part of Smokey and the Bandit (#1) is on - what a fun movie - and now it tells the story of a different time in lots of ways.

Time to get some breakfast.

Labels: farm, Molly, saturday, weeds, work

This was a fabulous weekend - busy but fun - all the things a weekend is supposed to be.

We celebrated Father's Day last night at Bijan's in Springfield. Sam and I bought Dad a larger GPS unit to replace the one he lost. He spent quite a bit of time today playing with it.

Today I worked in the yard and cleaned the car from top to bottom and actually started packing for the four days in Kansas City with the first week of our summer institute. Molly and I also went out to the humane society to deliver papers. They had 3 of the cutest little shitzu's - the older black one had a tongue hanging out that as just adorable.

Labels: Dad, Father's Day, humane society, Molly, weekend

It's raining again but I am inside in a meeting most of the day so at least I'm not missing one of our rare sunny days this summer.

It's been a busy week but I'm almost caught up. Lots of encouraging other people to meet past due deadlines so we can move forward on a big project. It's always a challenge when you're not the only one involved in a project - as academics in the humanities, we're most used to working alone. That can be good and bad.

The weekend will be filled with yard work and housework since I'll be gone for two weeks almost solid and the rest of the summer will be one of being constantly on the move - but it should all be both challenging and fun.

And, Molly continues to make progress.

Labels: grants, Molly, rain, summer, work

It's Monday again! The last week to finish all the "catching up" tasks before summer activities fully kick into gear.

We did make it to the lake - and the rain mostly cooperated. I started reading Barbara Walters' Audition and continued to read Bob Caro's book on Robert Moses. Both are quite intriguing.

Molly checked out the lake neighbor dogs but isn't quite comfortable enough to approach - esp. when one is so much bigger than she is (8 lbs.)

I visited with the neighbors here last night and it looks like the city is making progress on addressing our drainage issues. I so didn't want to go to a city council meeting tomorrow night.

Labels: Audition, drainage, Molly, Monday, Moses, neighbors, Robert Moses

I've just finished up most of the tasks to prepare for the summer institute for one of our TAH grants. We've worked with this group for a year and a half and have enjoyed getting to know their diverse personalities.

It looks like the weather may allow a trip to the lake later today after all. I've been anxious to get down there.

We went to see Sex and the City last night. It was outstanding and kept twisting and turning all the way through. Anyone who liked the series will like the movie. There was one storyline I didn't like but out of four, that's not bad. And, those who haven't seen the series regularly might miss a lot of the "backstory" that makes particular scenes more fun and/or more interesting.

Molly is continuing to feel more comfortable in her environment and communicating with me as dogs do that she is excited about joining the family.

Labels: grants, Molly, Sex and the City, TAH, teachers

Just as I went to bed last night, the wind seemed to get quite loud. Given our recent storm experiences, I decided I should get up and check things out. By the time the satellite signal came back on the tv, the worst of the 70 mph winds had gone through. The tornadic activity was most likely on the front end of the storm. But I'm glad I was in the basement for the worst of it apparently. Guess I won't be doing the weedeating first thing - hopefully it will dry out enough later to do it sometime today in spite of our already getting 90 degree heat.

Molly was excited to see me when I got home late Monday night - in contrast to Shadow's pouting to let me know he was mad he'd been left. So, Molly doesn't seem to have the same separation anxiety issues as Shadow did - another thing to cause less stress for me. The neighbor was kind enough to pick her up for me so I didn't have to wait until the next morning to get her and it gave both dogs a chance to play.

I had her hair cut while she was there and it's now quite clear she is 100% poodle. So, although she looks quite different with her short do, she's becoming more and more "my" dog.

The work in DC went very well - interesting people and interesting projects to discuss. And great food at Zaytinya - a now regular stop on any trip to DC. It was weired, however, not going into the National Archives while I was there.

Summer planning is moving right along.

Labels: DC, dogs, Molly, storms, tornadoes, travel, trip, winds

Last night's dinner and stay in the Kansas City Power and Light District was fun. Great weather and fun walking around last night and this morning.

I arrived at the airport early (!!) and so I stopped at Zona Rosa to pick up a few items - including quart size ziploc bags since I had figured out I had reduced my load for a one-night stay down to a manageable carry-on on - although I wish I would have brought my pull behind instead. Oh well. It will be great not having to wait for luggage on the other end - but especially when I arrive home tomorrow evening - it might save me as much as half an hour getting out of here.

The plane is here - which is always a good things. We'll be a few minutes late getting off the ground but will probably make it up in flight time. It will be fun to walk around downtown without having to carrying anything after I check into the hotel. I'm still trying to decide what to have for dinner tonight. And walking the DC Mall area before it gets too hot this summer will also be fun.

Chicago with the teachers will be fun next month but I think the highlight will be NYC in July. And, I'll enjoy the drive to Madison in early July. I already have an inexpensive guest spot on the way up and on the way back. . . . although the way back does include my goddaughter.

I hated leaving Molly yesterday but I'm sure she will be fine.

Labels: DC, dinner, Kansas City, KC, Mall, Midwest Airlines, Molly, plane, Power and Light District, travel, trip, Washington

Mollydog is making sure but steady progress feeling more secure in her new environment. And, for me, it's wonderful having a dog who doesn't run off at the slightest opportunity. Molly did, however, figure out how to get out of the fenced part of the yard yesterday - but it was to come to me as I was getting the lawnmower out on the other side of the house where she couldn't see me. I knew that her ultimate escape was inevitable given that the humane society warned me she had gotten out of her kennel gate into the larger fenced area whenever someone was out there working and/or walking another dog.

And, yesterday, she also made great strides playing with her neighbor Manny - the corgi next door. Manny is several times her size but he quickly learned if he wanted to play, he had to kick it down a few notches. Then, they just had the greatest time running around together. It will be good socialization and exercise for both of them. And, it looks like I won't have to venture out on the ice to walk her in the winter like I did Shadow because running around in the yard is enough for her to eventually do her business.

I think it will be harder for me to leave her today at the vets to go to DC for a grant project. Manny's mom is picking her up for me so that she will be here when I get home on Monday night and won't have to wait until Tuesday morning to get her.

Since I have to leave her today, I will head up to Kansas City and explore the Power and Light District as it continues to grow and have breakfast with a friend in the morning before heading out. Not sure where I will eat tonight but somewhere near the P&L District - unless I succumb to Gates BBQ first.

When I get back, I'll have two weeks to finish up a multitude of projects. And the house is finally close enough to caught up to do that in a reasonable fashion. I'm learning to set boundaries and not let other people make their deadlines mine - especially given that group projects take everyone working together and not one person directing the rest of us like students. And, it's making the ultimate project a richer one given that more of this later group is so much more heavily involved in the implementing the subject of the ultimate product - it's a continuum and not a "been there, done that". That's one of the largest visions we all share.

It's raining AGAIN but I should drive out of it in KC and will have great weather in DC. Now I need to go figure out how light I can pack for an overnight stay.

Labels: DC, dog, grants, Molly, neighbors, projects

It's another beautiful day. We're getting some cool evenings and mornings - we thought maybe we had missed out those with it staying cold so long into the spring. But it looks like there will be some easy into summer heat. Given that fall and spring are my favorite seasons - but I really do like the best of all four seasons - this is good news.

Molly is getting more settled in. She's eating better and enjoying romping in her yard. I'm still getting used to the contrast of a male dog compelled to mark and a female dog who just takes care of business a few times a day.

I went out with a friend last night and had fun, including a trek to Target - always a dangerous thing for at least one credit card during each visit. I found Molly a new dog bed that is all her own. I will spread out Shadow's old ones for back-up and donate extras to the humane society. I'll also donate the dog "coats" that are too big for her to them. I did buy her one sale coat just so we have one on hand when needed. We go for utility more than cuteness and only put her in a coat when necessary. If all goes as planned, she will get her first bath tonight.

The yard is drying out a bit more but the city should be here this week to work on the dumped in area that is blocking drainage behind our houses.

Neighbor Mark was back yesterday to mow. He will continue to be missed even though he is just across town. My newer neighbor on the other side just bought a riding lawnmower - it's just too heavy to get much into my yard given the wet ground.

I have a bit of grading to finish up before the semester is done. My thesis workload has decreased given that a student chose to vent publicly on Facebook. Lessons learned for him.

I also have some grant reviewing to do but have through tomorrow to get that done and the agency understands that we've be in heavy school mode since they asked me to participate.

If all works as planned, Molly and I will be at the lake next weekend and visit with Uncle Bill when he comes through Springfield. His moving us away from Christmas makes the scheduling much more problematic for 5 adults.

Labels: dog adoption, Facebook, grades, grants, Molly, mowing, semester, students, yard

Today I have a final meeting with student teachers and administer a final. It's based on the Praxis most will have to take to earn their teaching license to give them practice for that shortly down the road. It's a beautiful spring day - as is often the case after storms. Hopefully the recovery south of us is going well.

Molly likes yard work - especially when she can climb right in the middle of the flowers. I planted Gerber Daisies out front. I still have the garden to plant - strawberries that spread with last year's rain are covering most of it already and I love strawberries. It will be interesting to see how the actual harvest goes.

Labels: garden, Gerber daisies, Molly, planting, spring

Molly is setting in quite nicely. We haven't had any inside accidents so I'm not sure what the folks who returned her after 5 weeks were doing or not doing. Yesterday when I woke up the first time at 5am, I took her out immediately since I didn't know how she would do first thing in the morning. This morning, I had to wake her up at 8:30am and she spent several minutes outside yawning and stretching before needing to go.

She is indeed a cutie and just the right size. She's still working on eating although she tore through one of the chew bones (dentabone) last night before I knew it. She had trouble at first because she doesn't seem to know to hold onto it with her front paws while she is chewing but she eventually began to figure that out a bit with some help. I want her to rely primarily on dry food since it's better nutrition and easier to manage - esp. now that the Science Diet small bags are resealable - a nice addition since we last bought dog food last year.

She did quite well in her traveling bag - esp. with the lambswool liner on the bottom so that is a good sign for future travel. Shadow used to fight it until the last year or two so her starting out not fighting it is good. I'm also sure it helps that she is only about 2/3 of Shadow's size and, therefore, might.

Molly is learning that she gets petted for awhile when she sits down with me to read and/or do computer stuff (like now) but then she needs to just settle in. She's had fun running the yard and even seems to stay with me as I walk around the house outside the fence. But I know as she feels more secure that may change but it sure is nice to have a dog that doesn't take off at the slightest opportunity.

Today we'll figure out if she can handle mowing while I figure out a way to keep her further away so she doesn't get hurt. I bought a stake and non-chewable chain just for that purpose. As she gets more secure, I can leave her inside the fence when I mow outside it in the back but she'll most likely need to stake when we're inside the fence and out front. We'll find out this afternoon when it warms up a bit.

Several tornadoes went just south of us so there are man people in the area not having a good day.

Labels: dog, dog adoption, housetraining, Molly, rescue dogs, tornadoes

Molly (formerly Concha on Petfinder.com) has joined my family. I went to Poteau last night to pick her up. More details later but Doc took a look at her this morning and said I did good.

Labels: dog, dog rescue, Molly, Petfinder