Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The End of Summer
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.
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
Friday, March 21, 2008
Back from Vacation
I actually survived more than a week without email. Who knew?
Now, my new task is to learn how to deal with the mountains of work waiting for me at home. . .. .
Now, my new task is to learn how to deal with the mountains of work waiting for me at home. . .. .
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Last Weekend of Summer
I'm spending the last weekend of summer at the lake. Although I had planned to get here more often, it's been mid-late June since I was here. We went out on the boat for lunch and had some great crab rangoon at Backwater Jack's.
The energy of the lake has dispelled from summer since, although it's in the 80s today, we're outside the traditional summer window of Memorial Day to Labor Day. It also means fewer of the neighbors are down so there's not as much random noise. The newbies at the lake, for example, don't realize that playing their boat stereo is heard louder across the cove than where they are sitting on their dock. ;-)
Since TAH grants started, summers just zoom by - and this one even faster than ever. But that may also be a sign of getting older every year.
My students are bearing more of the responsibility of doing their work this semester and although it's taking some gradual condition on my part not to worry about them so much, it is a normal expectation that they can read directions and, more importantly, be expected to follow them instead of just "sorta" doing so. And this is especially true of graduate students. I am trying to redirect my psychic energy into worthwhile directions instead of directions over which I have no control.
My teaching methods class has self-selected down to 4 people - a very manageable group - and much more so who dropped because they sensed it was "too much work". We're expected to meet increasingly higher standards but students are still stretching to see how this connects back to them. My job is not to get them ready to student teach next semester but, instead, give them the opportunity to do so. In return, I am causing much less stress damage to my internal self - both physically and psychologically.
The dirt work at the farm also came into focus late last week which, in return, releases a large dose of psychic energy. Now I can turn to other issues that haven't been hanging over my head for years. I do much better with tasks I can just do myself - but operating dirt moving equipment is certainly NOT one of those. Next on the list is getting rid of the armadillos who have almost taken over both the area around the house and the fields.
Some longtime neighbors are moving. I haven't seen them to ask them to where - although it will still be in town. I will certainly miss them - I watched their kids go from pre-teen and early teenager to all grown up with jobs and families. The newer younger neighbors on the other side fill in somewhat of a gap - but a bit different now that I am the age of my neighbors who are moving when I first moved to the neighborhood. I guess it beats the alternative. And, I certainly appreciate my retired neighbors who always keep out a watchful eye over me - and, more importantly, my mail.
I notice Shadow has deteriorated a bit more since we were here in early summer - and maybe that is because I'm paying more attention. I can't take him on long walks anymore given that that will stress his little heart too much. He had an excitable evening the other night running around and playing with me - I just kept an eye on his breathing, etc., - and he reminded me he still as some "young pup" energy occasionally. He's never been much of a dog that wants to play either with people or other dogs. He sets his own course and I've tried to give him a good life. He has always been a great companion - occasionally needing his space but also understanding the need to "cuddle" and be petted.
Home is where I'll be for another week before I head off to a conference in Oklahoma City with some grant teachers and then, two weeks later, the grant directors' conference in New Orleans. . . disaster tour by a local included.
The energy of the lake has dispelled from summer since, although it's in the 80s today, we're outside the traditional summer window of Memorial Day to Labor Day. It also means fewer of the neighbors are down so there's not as much random noise. The newbies at the lake, for example, don't realize that playing their boat stereo is heard louder across the cove than where they are sitting on their dock. ;-)
Since TAH grants started, summers just zoom by - and this one even faster than ever. But that may also be a sign of getting older every year.
My students are bearing more of the responsibility of doing their work this semester and although it's taking some gradual condition on my part not to worry about them so much, it is a normal expectation that they can read directions and, more importantly, be expected to follow them instead of just "sorta" doing so. And this is especially true of graduate students. I am trying to redirect my psychic energy into worthwhile directions instead of directions over which I have no control.
My teaching methods class has self-selected down to 4 people - a very manageable group - and much more so who dropped because they sensed it was "too much work". We're expected to meet increasingly higher standards but students are still stretching to see how this connects back to them. My job is not to get them ready to student teach next semester but, instead, give them the opportunity to do so. In return, I am causing much less stress damage to my internal self - both physically and psychologically.
The dirt work at the farm also came into focus late last week which, in return, releases a large dose of psychic energy. Now I can turn to other issues that haven't been hanging over my head for years. I do much better with tasks I can just do myself - but operating dirt moving equipment is certainly NOT one of those. Next on the list is getting rid of the armadillos who have almost taken over both the area around the house and the fields.
Some longtime neighbors are moving. I haven't seen them to ask them to where - although it will still be in town. I will certainly miss them - I watched their kids go from pre-teen and early teenager to all grown up with jobs and families. The newer younger neighbors on the other side fill in somewhat of a gap - but a bit different now that I am the age of my neighbors who are moving when I first moved to the neighborhood. I guess it beats the alternative. And, I certainly appreciate my retired neighbors who always keep out a watchful eye over me - and, more importantly, my mail.
I notice Shadow has deteriorated a bit more since we were here in early summer - and maybe that is because I'm paying more attention. I can't take him on long walks anymore given that that will stress his little heart too much. He had an excitable evening the other night running around and playing with me - I just kept an eye on his breathing, etc., - and he reminded me he still as some "young pup" energy occasionally. He's never been much of a dog that wants to play either with people or other dogs. He sets his own course and I've tried to give him a good life. He has always been a great companion - occasionally needing his space but also understanding the need to "cuddle" and be petted.
Home is where I'll be for another week before I head off to a conference in Oklahoma City with some grant teachers and then, two weeks later, the grant directors' conference in New Orleans. . . disaster tour by a local included.
Labels: grant, history, neighbors, Shadow, stress, summer, teaching, vacation, work
Monday, September 03, 2007
Ready or not
Just finished a huge project- or at least the segment that was due before part is due each week this month. It was fun once I was able to get my head wrapped around it.
Off for 3 days away - a summer vacation at last!
Off for 3 days away - a summer vacation at last!
Labels: projects, summer, vacation, work
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Saturday Morning
It's Saturday morning, the first of September. While we're all usually more aware of the time when we take time to look at the clocks on our computers, I'm not sure we're always as aware of the dates. I find that more of a challenge lately because too much time seems to slip by too quickly.
My friend and I apparently missed our opportunity to see No Reservations at the first run theater and there are no other movies that interest me. The Bourne movie does but I need to make sure to see all of its predecessors from beginning to end to understand it.
I read someone else's blog entry that relates to a colleagues comment about some of my blog entries that focus so much on weather. I hadn't given much thought to so many places where people live (esp. cities) where weather just isn't a factor. Right now, we're watching the weather not only for storms but for signs that it will finally cool down - which it did significantly for the first time last night - below 60. It's actually cool outside this morning - and I don't just mean a cool breeze in the distance. :-)
Fall may actually be my favorite time of year although I love the winter when there is a good clean snow on the ground - it's like a time of renewal. For most of my live the ebb and flow of the seasons and the academic year have been the guiding factors of the "time" in my life - quite different than the year-round jobs most of the world deals with on a daily basis.
This is a work weekend so that I can take off a few weekdays for a long-postponed family event. It already feels productive, however, which is a good thing.
I'm off to the farmer's market in town. I missed the one in nearby town which had some outstanding fried green tomatoes. Wonder what is left today - so late in the season. I primarily have herbs left in my own garden - a giant basil plant and rosemary that is doing okay plus some sweet banana peppers. I had some outstanding cherry tomatoes but the big tomatoes didn't do their thing this year. As with every year, I either have too much time or not enough time for the garden.
And, more good news, the cit is finally getting serious about the fixing the clogged drainage situation that goes on for about 1/2 mile behind my house and the neighbor's house. A new development behind us just chose to push everything - including large tree trunks - onto our property rather than staying back a few feet and keeping it on their own property. I'm still not understanding why the city can't force the developer to fix the problem he created but he's certainly not scoring any points with the neighbors.
My friend and I apparently missed our opportunity to see No Reservations at the first run theater and there are no other movies that interest me. The Bourne movie does but I need to make sure to see all of its predecessors from beginning to end to understand it.
I read someone else's blog entry that relates to a colleagues comment about some of my blog entries that focus so much on weather. I hadn't given much thought to so many places where people live (esp. cities) where weather just isn't a factor. Right now, we're watching the weather not only for storms but for signs that it will finally cool down - which it did significantly for the first time last night - below 60. It's actually cool outside this morning - and I don't just mean a cool breeze in the distance. :-)
Fall may actually be my favorite time of year although I love the winter when there is a good clean snow on the ground - it's like a time of renewal. For most of my live the ebb and flow of the seasons and the academic year have been the guiding factors of the "time" in my life - quite different than the year-round jobs most of the world deals with on a daily basis.
This is a work weekend so that I can take off a few weekdays for a long-postponed family event. It already feels productive, however, which is a good thing.
I'm off to the farmer's market in town. I missed the one in nearby town which had some outstanding fried green tomatoes. Wonder what is left today - so late in the season. I primarily have herbs left in my own garden - a giant basil plant and rosemary that is doing okay plus some sweet banana peppers. I had some outstanding cherry tomatoes but the big tomatoes didn't do their thing this year. As with every year, I either have too much time or not enough time for the garden.
And, more good news, the cit is finally getting serious about the fixing the clogged drainage situation that goes on for about 1/2 mile behind my house and the neighbor's house. A new development behind us just chose to push everything - including large tree trunks - onto our property rather than staying back a few feet and keeping it on their own property. I'm still not understanding why the city can't force the developer to fix the problem he created but he's certainly not scoring any points with the neighbors.
Labels: catching up, city, drainage, seasons, September, vacation, weather, work
Monday, August 20, 2007
Two Days in Casper
The last few days of vacation involved driving through Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks and then across some very interesting terrain I hadn't seen before in Wyoming as I headed to Casper. I had been to Jackson on a train trip so I detoured about 30 miles to visit the town and eat some Mexican food for lunch and gather up some great bakery items.
Casper was enjoyable and a good way to rest up for the last two legs home. One of the highlights of the trip was the Bureau of Land Management's National Historic Trails Interpretive Site. It was simply outstanding in its interactivity and the staff went out of it's way to greet and talk to visitors and make sure they had access to all the features of the site.
I also found a neat walking/biking trail - although it took until the second day to find the pretty longer part of it.
I then made it to Hays, Kansas, for the night. It's become quite the growing metropolis since I last was there about 3 years ago. I stopped by FHSU and then headed to Wichita for some Vietnamese food for lunch. I found an E85 station right by my hotel (right under my nose again) in Hays. I finally made it home by dinner time on Wednesday in time to go to opening meetings on Thursday. It was great seeing everyone at PSU - especially the folks I don't always get to see during the year since we're all in different buildings going different directions. It really doesn't seem like I was gone for a year on sabbatical.
I'll meet students in the teaching and seminar courses this afternoon and this evening.
Casper was enjoyable and a good way to rest up for the last two legs home. One of the highlights of the trip was the Bureau of Land Management's National Historic Trails Interpretive Site. It was simply outstanding in its interactivity and the staff went out of it's way to greet and talk to visitors and make sure they had access to all the features of the site.
I also found a neat walking/biking trail - although it took until the second day to find the pretty longer part of it.
I then made it to Hays, Kansas, for the night. It's become quite the growing metropolis since I last was there about 3 years ago. I stopped by FHSU and then headed to Wichita for some Vietnamese food for lunch. I found an E85 station right by my hotel (right under my nose again) in Hays. I finally made it home by dinner time on Wednesday in time to go to opening meetings on Thursday. It was great seeing everyone at PSU - especially the folks I don't always get to see during the year since we're all in different buildings going different directions. It really doesn't seem like I was gone for a year on sabbatical.
I'll meet students in the teaching and seminar courses this afternoon and this evening.
Labels: Casper, classes, college, Hays, Kansas, school, vacation, Wichita, Wyoming
Friday, August 17, 2007
Resuming our Broadcast
Am safely home and busy with the early semester duties that accompany classes starting Monday. More later - including rest of vacation blogging - how fats they go!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Two Days in Helena and a Day in Bozeman
The end point of my travels west was Helena, Montana, where has a condo. She is a native of eastern Montana and wrote her dissertation on the redlight district of Helena. She shared lots of interesting stories about the area and the state museum was quite interesting - especially the recent food supply.
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She treated me to a great dinner at the Silver Star. And I highly recommend the Great Northern Hotel. Don't let the Best Western affiliation throw you - it was by far the nicest of all of the pet-friendly accommodations I've stayed in during this trip. Too bad it was the one in which I spent the least amount of time.
After a few days in Helena, I drove back toward Bozeman to spend the night. The only miscalculation was that the Montana State University Bookstore would be closed on a Saturday and Sunday since school isn't in session. It was an interesting drive through the campus, however.
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She treated me to a great dinner at the Silver Star. And I highly recommend the Great Northern Hotel. Don't let the Best Western affiliation throw you - it was by far the nicest of all of the pet-friendly accommodations I've stayed in during this trip. Too bad it was the one in which I spent the least amount of time.
After a few days in Helena, I drove back toward Bozeman to spend the night. The only miscalculation was that the Montana State University Bookstore would be closed on a Saturday and Sunday since school isn't in session. It was an interesting drive through the campus, however.
Labels: Archiva, Bozeman, Helena, Montana, vacation
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Butte, MT
Spending a day in Butte, Montana, was an interesting comparison to the mining landscapes I see all around me at home. The Rocky Mountains in Montana are definitely bigger and more spread out than those in Colorado (with which I am more familiar given the geographical relationship to Kansas). There was gold, silver, and copper mining here and the state university's technology campus is here. Go Diggers!
Had some interesting food and the people are indeed very nice.
More on Montana later. Now it's time to drive again.
Had some interesting food and the people are indeed very nice.
More on Montana later. Now it's time to drive again.
Labels: Butte, copper, gold, mining, Montana, silver, vacation
Friday, August 10, 2007
Wyoming
I spent two days in Cheyenne Wyoming. I found a great place for homemade Mexican - The Tortilla Factory. Walking around downtown was interesting. Frontier Days was just last week or so and you can almost feel the town winding down a bit. There was a great view from the hotel and some great sidewalk walking areas to get some exercise each morning.
An interesting pair of boots was among my purchases here. The scenery was great on the drive. Still not quite mentally on vacation but that finally happened when I made it to Montana and Big Sky Country.
An interesting pair of boots was among my purchases here. The scenery was great on the drive. Still not quite mentally on vacation but that finally happened when I made it to Montana and Big Sky Country.
Labels: Big Sky, Montana, Tortilla Factory, vacation, Wyoming
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Lasso Espresso
Gotta love this name - plus the cappuccino was great!
Concordia POW Camp - World War II
As I was venturing out of Kansas, I went "off route" to tour this site. A new house has gone up on the section corner right across the road. This website gives the full story and better pictures.
I'll be on the road most of the day - primarily northern in direction.
I'll be on the road most of the day - primarily northern in direction.
Labels: Concordia, Kansas, POW Camp, travel, vacation, World War II
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Vacation Day 1 - Kansas/Nebraska
After weedeating at the farm, I headed west to Wichita and then north to Nebraska. I stopped in Concordia KS at lunchtime and not only found a charming old family restaurant where I had a hot roast beef sandwich with REAL mashed potatoes and gravy - no powdered bases plus a salad with "Dorothy" salad dressing. No, not Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz but Dorothy as in Dorothy Lynch. I've had it on and off over the years but primarily at home and not in restaurants.
I also found an interesting quilt and gift store. I haven't really quilted in a couple of years and they not only had an outstanding quilt fabric selection - including Kaffe fabric - but also some great clothing fabric. They were even advertising the "Make it with Wool Contest" that I have both participated in and judged.
Willa Cather spent time in Nebraska and I stopped by the historic sites in Red Cloud. A company from Fort Scott had the front of the actual historic site roped off for renovation (too bad I didn't find that in any of my web searches) but I found an interesting bookstore across the street and the owner pointed me down the next block to the WC Foundation site where I bought a few things.
Then, it was on to Kearney, Nebraska, where I settled into the hotel room and later ate at Whiskey Creek. This morning I had a chance to explore the marvelous trail along the river and we spent almost an hour walking/jogging it. The heat was low although the humidity was still high.
As I mentioned before, some posts may lag a day or two so that we can err on the side of overly safe. The crazies are everywhere . . . .
I also found an interesting quilt and gift store. I haven't really quilted in a couple of years and they not only had an outstanding quilt fabric selection - including Kaffe fabric - but also some great clothing fabric. They were even advertising the "Make it with Wool Contest" that I have both participated in and judged.
Willa Cather spent time in Nebraska and I stopped by the historic sites in Red Cloud. A company from Fort Scott had the front of the actual historic site roped off for renovation (too bad I didn't find that in any of my web searches) but I found an interesting bookstore across the street and the owner pointed me down the next block to the WC Foundation site where I bought a few things.
Then, it was on to Kearney, Nebraska, where I settled into the hotel room and later ate at Whiskey Creek. This morning I had a chance to explore the marvelous trail along the river and we spent almost an hour walking/jogging it. The heat was low although the humidity was still high.
As I mentioned before, some posts may lag a day or two so that we can err on the side of overly safe. The crazies are everywhere . . . .
Labels: fabric, Kansas, Kearney, Nebraska, quilting, vacation, Willa Cather
Friday, August 03, 2007
Almost on vacation
I was more tired than I thought yesterday and mowing in the heat and humidity made it so that I knew I couldn't drive all day today so there's more organizing and cleaning on deck today before I head to the farm.
A recent murder up in what is normally considered a safe suburb of Kansas City has me wondering if should post my vacation so that it's not easy to know exactly where I am until a day or so afterwards. Not that that many people are that interested but that it only takes one weirdo to be a problem. One of our teachers mentioned that the girl who was killed mentioned on either her Facebook or MySpace page that she was headed to Target and that's how he targeted her. I am surprised I didn't see that aspect played up more since, so many times, the attackers know there victim somehow even if their victims don't know them and/or aren't aware of them.
I'm sitting in my home office right now watching roofing shingles come tumbling down on my hydrangeas and lantana - we do have them somewhat covered and the guys are trying. Just the nature of the beast of getting the work done - at least it's the end of the summer - but the hydrangeas haven't bloomed yet this year and the lantana is pretty hardy in the heat.
So, more chores - at work and at home - off the decks today and I'll head out late in the afternoon so that I have time to do any outside work that needs done at the farm and then head north and/or west tomorrow and get to another state by the end of the day. I am definitely mentally ready and, by the end of the day, I should be physically ready.
A recent murder up in what is normally considered a safe suburb of Kansas City has me wondering if should post my vacation so that it's not easy to know exactly where I am until a day or so afterwards. Not that that many people are that interested but that it only takes one weirdo to be a problem. One of our teachers mentioned that the girl who was killed mentioned on either her Facebook or MySpace page that she was headed to Target and that's how he targeted her. I am surprised I didn't see that aspect played up more since, so many times, the attackers know there victim somehow even if their victims don't know them and/or aren't aware of them.
I'm sitting in my home office right now watching roofing shingles come tumbling down on my hydrangeas and lantana - we do have them somewhat covered and the guys are trying. Just the nature of the beast of getting the work done - at least it's the end of the summer - but the hydrangeas haven't bloomed yet this year and the lantana is pretty hardy in the heat.
So, more chores - at work and at home - off the decks today and I'll head out late in the afternoon so that I have time to do any outside work that needs done at the farm and then head north and/or west tomorrow and get to another state by the end of the day. I am definitely mentally ready and, by the end of the day, I should be physically ready.
Labels: humdity, hydrangea, lantana, personal safety, roof, vacation
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Home Again
There's nothing like sleeping in your own bed. And, lucky for me, I woke up just in time to be up and ready for the world when the roofers arrived.
Had a great research trip with Paul and did some early fall shopping on my way home on the KC Country Club Plaza to try to wait out the traffic standstill in the Grandview Triangle. Found a few things to ease into the fall season and, for the FIRST time, received good service at the Eddie Bauer store there. I've not had good luck in the past and usually end up ordering online from the catalog phone because no one has noticed I want to buy clothes. Sometimes it takes one personnel change to improve things and I know it's increasingly difficult to find good workers who want more than just a job and actually want to work while they are at work. I worked retail in a previous life - both big department store and specialty women's retailer . .. much more fun to wait on customers - means you don't have to fold as much and do as much inventory - although I did absolutely love unpacking the new boxes of clothes as they came in.
I'll try to get everything that has to be done around here before I head out for vacation. I'm hoping to spend the night at the farm and leave from there but only time will tell. Am probably going to climb up to Nebraska first but need to check out what is going on with the Montana wildfires so that I don't end up in the wrong spot-especially given that the "next road over" is usually quite a ways over in a state like Montana.
I'm definitely ready for the break and will get back just in time for school to start. Being in the wide open sky out West will do wonders - it really gives you perspective on things.
Had a great research trip with Paul and did some early fall shopping on my way home on the KC Country Club Plaza to try to wait out the traffic standstill in the Grandview Triangle. Found a few things to ease into the fall season and, for the FIRST time, received good service at the Eddie Bauer store there. I've not had good luck in the past and usually end up ordering online from the catalog phone because no one has noticed I want to buy clothes. Sometimes it takes one personnel change to improve things and I know it's increasingly difficult to find good workers who want more than just a job and actually want to work while they are at work. I worked retail in a previous life - both big department store and specialty women's retailer . .. much more fun to wait on customers - means you don't have to fold as much and do as much inventory - although I did absolutely love unpacking the new boxes of clothes as they came in.
I'll try to get everything that has to be done around here before I head out for vacation. I'm hoping to spend the night at the farm and leave from there but only time will tell. Am probably going to climb up to Nebraska first but need to check out what is going on with the Montana wildfires so that I don't end up in the wrong spot-especially given that the "next road over" is usually quite a ways over in a state like Montana.
I'm definitely ready for the break and will get back just in time for school to start. Being in the wide open sky out West will do wonders - it really gives you perspective on things.
Labels: Kansas City, Montana, research, vacation
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