Mostly Because I Miss Those Days

                I was volunteering at the library the other night and was given the assignment to find some missing books.  As I was searching the shelves I came across Heather Vogel Fredrick’s book – Pies & Prejudice from The Mother Daughter Book Club series. I grabbed it for the series title.  One of the books that Jaime and I had read at the library mother daughter book club was Pie by Sara Weeks (here). I did not see it as a play on words from the title “Pride and Prejudice” until later nor a book series.  Nor do I understand why something in the Juvenile section would have such a tiny font.  I have seen bigger fonts in the young adult.  So for the most part I have been reading with a magnifying glass.  That is getting tiresome.  Thus I may not finish.

            I was also reminded of the Beehive Award when reading that this particular book is an Oregon award finalist.  Jaime also loved reading and voting on Beehive books. The characters in this book are older than Jaime and targeted youth of the book club as the reading material suggestion was made for ages 8 to 12.  Jaime and I both LOVED the book club.  For me it was an opportunity to read together and explore the pages in a creative way.  Though I’m sure she enjoyed reading with me she also enjoyed getting together with girls near her age and engaging in some kind of craft.  It was fun and meaningful all at the same time.

            The characters in the book have just started high school – I’m guessing their freshman year.  But nowadays it’s hard to know what age starts at which school as the age groups are different across the nation.  I had gone to sixth grade my last year at the elementary school where I had started kindergarten.  My mom had gone to a school that went from 1^st to 6^th grade and completed her 7^th and 8^th at a school that went from first to 8^th. I was in my last year of junior high as a ninth grader and hadn’t been referred to as a freshman.  Jaime started 6^th grade at Middle School – the equivalent of my junior high and completed four years of high school as freshman to senior.

            The book club takes place not in the library but in each of their homes.  Thus far I have only been introduced to three characters – each telling a chapter in first person.  I do like that.  Thus far I haven’t relived any of the nostalgia I had with Jaime.  I don’t really expect to but did think it would be fun to try.  Mother Daughter high schoolers . . . I guess it's possible.  

            If I don’t finish the book it will be because of the font size more than anything.  But I may take up reading books that are targeted to the 8-12 year old to act as a guide for the librarian who would like to start some kind of book club here.  I’d like to see that event unfold.  I don’t know if it will though.  Happy to see that it is still a part some libraries across the nation. 

Perhaps Not Perfect, But Close

             I had asked a friend if she would drive me to the airport yesterday.  I had changed the time of her flight and would have been able to drive myself but my friend was still willing – in fact looking forward to it – perhaps more than I.  Before the pandemic she had received a gift card to Red Lobster but has not used it in all of this time.  So after we went to the airport and picked up Jenna, our friend drove us to Red Lobster and used her gift card on overpriced food that really didn’t seem worth what we would have paid.  Jenna and I do love the cheese rolls – which she enjoyed more than I.  It probably isn’t the fault of Red Lobster but rather my taste buds (or lack thereof) that are to blame. 

Currently Jenna is in Cottage Grove attending the high school football game – not that she knows anything about football or any other sport.  She has school spirit as many of those from the class of 2022.  They have always been so supportive of one another – unlike the class of 2023 who had somewhat of a mischievous reputation.  I don’t know how much of that has changed since the pandemic.  I know 2022 continues to be strong.  They are definitely an awesome bunch of kids.

 

On Monday I took her to the high school for parent teacher conference.  Though she currently has eight classes, she has only five instructors.  Seeing them all took only 15-20 minutes plus a few minutes of visits with those who are not her instructors.  Everybody loves Jenna and the feedback is always positive.  I knew that already. 

She needs only two classes to graduate but has decided to take six electives to contribute making her senior year a wonderful experience – though the two required classes are a Lot of work.  She is and always has been a great student academically as she is supportive of her peers.  She’s a gem.

Catching Up on Some ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZs

I was on my computer Tuesday morning when I received a call from one of the schools.  It was 8:35 and the shift started at 9:00.  It was for the school that is farthest away, but I thought I could be there on time.  At that point I didn’t know if I’d be working with the elementary or middle school age children.  I wish it had been the older kids instead of the younger ones.

I was over my sore throat but still had that darn dry cough, and because I was using my voice all day (except for recess) my cough became stronger and my throat started hurting again.  I did not work yesterday.

The RS presidency meets once a week.  Initially they met on Monday but had changed it to Wednesday to accommodate me.  I don’t particularly enjoy working on Wednesdays as it is the short day and school lets out at the same time I get off.  I’d rather not deal with school traffic – which I don’t on any other day.  If I know there is not going to be a meeting, I can accept an assignment.

After the meeting, Roland and I drove up to Roseburg to see the movie “Ad Astra” – what a waste.  I really liked “Space Cowboys” made almost 20 years before the release of “Ad Astra”.  Did not care for “Ad Astra” at all.  For one thing, the light fading in and out on the screen bothered my eyes.  Sitting for more than one hour and twenty minutes was killing my behind.  I finally got up just to go to the bathroom and check the snack bar for something that might help my throat.  Didn’t find anything, but it was worth a shot. 

Then I heard my stomach growl.  I was hungry.  I wanted real food – not candy or popcorn.  They sold hot dogs for 5.50.  5.50!  Flip! I would have gone elsewhere, but none of the nearby locations sell any kind of food.  There was a half hour left until the movie let out.  I ordered a hot dog.  It took 15 minutes just to make the dang thing.  Can you imagine? Good thing there were no other patrons standing in line – well, there was no line.  I was it.  Everyone else was in the theater.

I can’t believe everybody sat through it.  I didn’t hear anyone say it was good or they liked it.  I had only seen one other person leave before it ended.  Roland didn’t like it.  He should have left sooner and come out and found me. 

Today I am going to the coast with a friend.  I am not even going to bother looking for work today.  I told Roland that I would, but I don’t want my throat to start aching again.  I think being closer to the ocean today may assist in my healing.  Let us hope so anyway.

Sorry for the non-exciting post.

 

What Am I Supposed To Do Now?

                Wednesday is generally my busiest day with school.  Generally.  When the libraries reopened and had asked for volunteers, I said I could - however I couldn't be scheduled.  Sometimes Mondays will work for me, but not always.  I could volunteer on Fridays regardless of my scheduling - however, no one else can work that day; therefore, the library is closed.

            I said I could substitute, which I have done before, but not for a long time.  I told them when I might be available and when I would not.  Wednesdays and Saturdays are definite NOs as I am trying to finish my schooling by Wednesday or Thursday and Saturdays are for family.

            Wednesday is also the designated day for potluck luncheons on 2nd Wednesdays every month and movies on the 3rd Wednesday, though on occasion I have missed both due to schooling.  Today my brother is in town - though it's not taking away from school.  It is the school and program itself that forbids me (among many other students) from viewing the textbook or pdf (mentioned here) in full content.  Students aren't expected to fulfill assignment or assessment at this time as we don't have the information in its entirety.  Gads!

                I will meet Corey and Joh this morning and introduce them to one of my friends over breakfast. I am happy to spend time with them and would not be doing any schooling today even if it was available.  But come on.  I don't want to repeat this course due to an error that I, myself, didn't create.  I don't suppose turning assignments in late is going to affect our grade, however.  As is, I just barely received my assignment grade from last week.   Unlike my database instructor who grades assignments right away, my accounting instructor seems to put it off as long as possible.  I would think that would create more work for him as he teaches at least three classes. 

            It's an accounting class, but thus far the discussions have made it seem more like a management class.  How odd.  It's okay though.  I'd rather Write my opinion than have to come up with an exact number with calculations.  Blech!

Ward Service and updates

            Myrtle Creek has a summer festival at the end of July or the weekend closest to July 25th.  We learned that our first year here when Roland had asked one of the members about Pioneer Days - a holiday celebrating the movement of the pioneers to Salt Lake City, Utah.  Our ward here does a service project the Saturday prior to the Saturday of summer fest.  The first year we had moved in, we had gone to Riddle to clean up the cemetery here.  I took several pictures though I was not yet familiar with the majority of members who appeared in each photo. 

            The following year we had painted the shed and spruced up the track and bleacher area at the high school.  I must have forgotten my camera that day.  I don't recall having taken any photographs.  I was hoping that my sister's family would be in town that afternoon or evening, but a fire alarm had disturbed their sleep and put them behind schedule (see here).  So they were not there for service project or pool party afterward.

            Last year we had gone to the American Legion on Old Pacific to spruce up grounds and add stars to the building (it is actually pretty cool looking) 

Before picture taken from Google maps

same building after: taken July 22, 2017 ward activity

I took more pictures of our service project there than I had at Riddle but does not appear that I posted anything - not even on facebook.

            Yesterday's project was at Millsite Park.  I would have taken pictures had I had a camera, but I don't.  And as you can see from my blackberry pics (a few posts back) my cell phone does not take great pictures and would not have been worth the effort.  Mulch was dumped between the walking path and ballpark and looks really nice.  I will have to add pictures at a later date.

            As always, we had a barbeque and pool party later in the evening.  I had not been feeling well but had chosen to go for the barbeque - which may have not been the wisest decision.  I was there for only forty minutes or so before I had Roland bring me back home.

            I aced both of my classes.  My accounting teacher praised me for including Hershey's code of Ethics on my report.  Truth be known, I wasn't including it because I thought it should be part of my report or because I found it interesting.  I needed over 1,200 words and had included whatever I could for the sake of word count.

            I also introduced my Ethics instructor to a made-up place of work based on an actual family owned business that I would guess does not use an auditor, which I had chosen as it has been the subject of my other class.  For the sake of my report (PowerPoint) I had to use my major as a profession for a place of business - not that I will ever specialize in auditing unless it is for nonprofit - which is the point of view I took for my PowerPoint.  All done.  Both classes complete.  I will start another accounting class tomorrow.

Recognizing Effort

                My appreciation for art is so-so.  There are certain paintings that appeal to me for various reasons - and perhaps on a subconscious level, it is the lighting and balance and whatever other techniques are used by the artist.  Usually, it is the subject of the painting.  That is what I am focused on, not the colors, tones, hues or layers for example.  All the detail that is put into a professional painting seems overwhelming to me and actually seems to detract from the beauty that I had seen there initially.

            In college, I once took an art appreciation class - just to force myself to understand and hopefully appreciate it more.  It backfired. I was so put out by the symbolic gestures and the history, it's a wonder I didn't drop the class.  I would struggle with these foreign concepts and tried to apply them to whatever piece of work we were doing.  I tried really hard.  Or so I believed.  My work and effort were below average and therefore so were my grades . . . . until one assignment that we did in crayon.

            The subject was a milk can.  Our instructor said to pick out all the colors that were reflecting off the milk can and underneath the surface and this and that and lighting, shades and hues and . . .  my poor confused brain.  I really didn't understand what he was talking about.  As I wasn't doing particularly well in that class anyway, I decided to "fake" it.  I got out my box of crayons and started scribbling a variety of colors over what would become my milk can.  I scribbled one area with a white crayon and one with a black crayon to that when I went over the entire milk can with my grey crayon, some of it would appear lighter and some would be darkened. 

            I was in the midst of covering all the scribbles with my gray crayon when the teacher came around and complimented me on my good work.  Was he for real?  Did he really believe that I had really seen the blue, orange and green scribbles in the can?  I wasn't even trying.  I hated creating "art" and I just didn't even care anymore.  That was the day I stopped trying to better myself in that particular class.  My grade point average had gone up after that.  It felt like a slap in the face, really. It didn't seem appropriate that I would receive the message: "you'll do a whole lot better if you don't try"  That's not right!

            I did not post last week as I had devoted so much of my time to my payroll final - which by the way, I never did finish. I did try.  Boy, did I try.  I burned out more hours on this one assignment than I had any other in my entire lifetime - or so it seemed. My final grade for the class came as a surprise. I was pretty certain that my instructor would not be going through each and every single answer of each and every single student.  Apparently, I did enough that he did know I had at least tried (on the final, excel would not accept the wrong answer - so it was either come up with the correct answer or leave it blank)

            I am more satisfied with my grade and my accomplishments that I earn.  I'm not an accountant yet.  I don't like numbers.  I don't like business.  But I do enjoy learning.  I'm grateful for the opportunities I have been given that I may accomplish even more.  Perhaps one day I'll actually develop a love for my "career".  Right now I'm just tolerating it.

            I've finished payroll and am now taking two more accounting classes.  I think they will be easier than payroll.  I don't know if my instructors will be as easy as my last instructor.  I suppose I'll have a better understanding later this week.