Playing hooky........

Telling secrets....

Just having come off a hellish week where I had two papers due, I decided I needed a mental health break from class.  Yep......I skipped it.  Based on the last four weeks, I can pretty well guarantee that I didn't miss much.  Monday's he mostly lectures, but what's funny is he basically recycles it all on Wednesday.  I've spent half the day catching up on reading, and I'm still not done.  As soon as I wrap this up, I'll be back at it.  Reading that is.

What really blows is how much reading he assigns.  This week it's only about 45 pages.  The week before that it was nearly 100.  And this is only half of what I have to read.  History is fairly straight forward, Stone Age Europe is more challenging.  SAE is delving into Neandertals and DNA and how much of theirs is ours.  Which turns out to be an average of 2.5%.  Some people have more, like Romeo, who is German, British, Swedish....in other words, northeastern European.  Which mean his ancestors from oh, 6 or 7 thousand years ago.  He's sporting 7% of those genes, which explains a lot, hahaha.  I haven't done my 23 & Me testing yet, but I'll have to do that soon, now I'm curious.  

So, that's it.  I got nothin else today, and I still have 50 pages to read.

Have a great week, y'all....

Love, 365

Don't ya hate it when........

This week, despite the fact that it started out with a MONDAY
~ usually the worst day of the week for those of us that aren't retired ~ it was a great week, even though there was a bit of trauma when two of our dental assistants called in sick on the
same day.  What made it great was the cooperation and team work that got everyone through the day, and none of the
patients were rescheduled.  I even had a brief discussion
with our OM, and was completely surprised that she mentioned
that I'm to be on the receiving end of a raise ~ you know, the
raise that doesn't really increase your bottom line much but
at least shows that you're being rewarded for your hard work.
I have some issues with our OM, but that narrative will have
to wait for another day.
Then a small little thing plunged me into tears, and which
remains with me today.......

I have a friend, someone from a previous
workplace...there are barriers to our getting
together on a regular basis, so when we do get
together, it's special.
In the past 4 months we've made plans to get
together three different times.  The first time
she cancelled, she was sick.  The second time
she cancelled, she texted she had forgotten that
she had a massage scheduled, and company
coming that weekend.  Yesterday she cancelled
because her husband has a terrible cold, and she
felt guilty that she would be leaving him alone
for two more hours after a full day of work.
And I get it, I really do......I've seen so many patient cancellations due to flu and colds and other illnesses in the past month.  My biggest issue is that she always cancels the day of our plans.  Which
means I really don't have time to plan anything else.  I feel both angry and sad at the same time.  I would really appreciate a day's notice, which would at least indicate that my time is at least as
valuable as hers.

I guess I'm tired of making excuses for her.  And worst of all, I don't like feeling like the person in her
life that doesn't deserve consideration, and it's ok to do this to me over and over.  And yet, I hate to sever our relationship.  Why?  I don't know.  I have a lot of trouble letting go, and/or feeling that I'm just not that important.

Love, 365

Drat.....

Bing images

Yesterday I had two assignments due for my anthropology class.  I had waited until Friday after work to complete them....because you know I procrastinate the hell out of everything.  Especially homework assignments.  While I'm working, my mouse disconnects.  Which happens often.  And drives me mad....... Usually I simply restart the computer, and when it comes back, my mouse is magically reconnected.  Except this time my computer didn't start.  Which led to a phone call to Apple, where a very nice gentleman tried to help, but to no avail.  I had to take it down to the Apple Store for some fixing up.

In the meantime, I borrowed Romeo's computer to finish up my assignments.  Of course, on one assignment I hit the submit button before I had actually downloaded it.  Sheesh.  I was able to send it in a message, which I recently discovered was received and approved.  Double sheesh.

Whereupon my entire computer has to be erased and then reinstalled.  And I discovered that the backup hard drive has not been backing up anything despite my bi-weekly attempts.  

Anyway, after 3 hours (one hour wait time for the "geniuses" to have time for me), and two hours to diagnose and all that other stuff, I finally can head home and start on my paper.  Where I've been half-heartedly working on until now.  I need a break.  

I have to hand it to Apple though.  After 3 hours, and fixing me up they didn't charge me anything.  I think that's incredible in this day and age of charging for everything.  Of course, nothing was broken or irreparable so there's that.  I was fully prepared to buy a new computer if necessary, but the woman who helped me said all seemed fine, and that these things happen sometimes.  She was incredibly patient, not only with me, but with the elderly lady next to me.  If I'd had a PC, I'm sure I would have been charged by the hour for the help I received for free at Apple.  And that's going a long way to keeping me as a customer.

Love, 365

Letting go.......

Bing images

2018 is going to be a tough one for me ~ but don't get me wrong, it's a choice I've made!  I want to finish my degree this year, which means a sacrifice of much of my free time (like yesterday's post reveals).  I don't know if it will all work out since I am at the mercy of the university's scheduling.  It worked out this semester, but who knows what will happen in the summer and fall.

In order to do this, I knew I would have to simplify in every way I could.  One of those ways is "unsubscribing" to all of the e-mails I apparently gave permission to e-mail me every day :-(  That journey is ongoing.  Some need to be told more than once or twice, but I'm sticking to it and seeing some results.  Unfortunately, I'm now inundated with unwanted mail that has no "unsubscribe" button.    I've been moving those to the junk box, and a friend told me that would take a while too.  

Have you been bombarded with companies calling you this month to try to sell you insurance?  I had 5 every day until just the last few days.  I tried to tell one young lady to take me off the list, I HAVE INSURANCE!!, but no.....she just kept talking until I hung up.  I hope those taper off to nothing soon.

The worst one is unfollowing some of the blogs I used to enjoy reading.  I realized that the content of those blogs don't do it for me anymore.  And yet, I found it difficult ~ but not impossible.  This one isn't really a huge issue like thousands of e-mails.  But it is part of the "simplify" idea I have been pursuing since the first of the year.  

Bottom line: moving toward simplifying life is more work than I thought it would be.  

Love, 365

I suck at time management......

Bing image

I've taken quite a few online classes.  Most of them are set up similarly, with similar deadlines.  But I discovered ~ to my dismay ~ that the quiz for this week had today's deadline.  Most of the time they are on a Sunday and I can space out my study time.  I had to re-read and write notes today and take the quiz, which I did a few minutes ago.  So, I've been in my office nearly all day with the exception of a few hours when I played racquetball with my Friday group.  My butt is tired.  And I just don't want to be up here much longer, so this will be short.

Did I mention I suck at time management?  I had read all but the short reading earlier this week, and highlighted the points I thought mattered.  But I hadn't written any notes yet, and that's where the material sticks with me.  I really need to hand write these notes.  Computer notes just won't do.  And there was a ton of information, like the different methods for dating archaeological artifacts....not to mention the paleoenvironmental reconstruction methods.  Eeeeeeeeee

I better get a handle on this, or it will make me crazy.  I hate spending nearly the entire day at my books.  :-(

I think I need a little retail therapy tomorrow......

Love, 365

Working with Millennials......

(bing images)

I want to start by saying not all millennials are lazy self-absorbed assholes.  It's not responsible to describe a huge population of individuals that way because I do know some that are very focused and driven ~ are achievers.  I'm only going to complain about two that I work with. 

Both of these young women started out as dental assistants, which is a physically demanding job...then you have to work with the dentist, who can be challenging (and sometimes rather mean, although neither of the dentists I work for would be described that way ~ they are both wonderful guys that are incredibly tolerant).  One of them is now working on the business side of the desk, the other is still assisting.  

Not long ago we had to hire a new assistant, and she's doing very well.  But I heard through the grapevine that assist. #1 won't train her on anything....."because it's not my job".  First of all, I really hate that phrase.  Secondly, that leaves assist. #2 in a pretty poor spot that is way more stressful than it needs to be.  #1 should be showing her the ropes, making sure she understands what the doc wants when preparing for a patient.  "It's not my job" is a euphemism for "LAZY", in my opinion.  

The other woman now works up at the front desk with me.  I like her well enough.  However, I think that when a patient comes into the office (you can hear the ding! of the door when someone opens it) she should actually look up and greet them instead of looking at her phone because she knows I will do it.  Same goes for answering the phone.  It's quite maddening.  And here I thought I was "leading by example" but apparently millennials feel that they know everything and can't be bothered to compare their performance to anyone else's.

I hate to toot my own horn, but I try to always be busy.  If there's not much going on, I find something to do.  I wish that I could say that of my coworker.  I really really do.  Of course, I sometimes look at my phone too, but it's only for a moment or two, not for 20 minutes. 

Are we underpaid?  Yes.  Most offices pay on average more than we are making, which I know because I've worked in other offices.  But if that's your main beef, I think it's time to go look for a new job instead of making everyone else have to pick up your slack.  

Love, 365

Study break.....

Lauren Davis during play with Halep........(Bing images)

Last night we tuned in to watch the Australian Open and happened to choose the Halep/Davis game ~ omg, it was one epic battle, very exciting and dramatic.  If you didn't see it last night, I highly recommend you watch the replay.  Toward the end there were lost toenails and tremendous leg cramps.  I thought Davis played brilliantly despite her many errors...she never gave up, which made me very proud to be an American!  I will be watching her matches in the future, she is a real dynamo.  I do like Halep, she has worked very hard to reach her #1 status.....but being who I am, I always defer to the underdog or the American.  Incredible play, and likely will be the best match of the entire tournament.

Meanwhile, in the Stone Age......(Bing images)

Wow, this class is going to keep me busy.  In our first week there is a "get acquainted" post, a "why study the Stone Age" post, a journal post that should be 300-500 words, and a quiz.  I haven't done the last two yet, still trying to wrap my mind around all the geography in the first two readings.  As usual, so far I notice the students who don't really have a clue and those that have extensively studied our ancient history.  Should be interesting.  

The second class ~ the one I have to drive to the Uni for is National Parks and American culture.  I mentioned the reading for it in a previous post.  Turns out this is the first time this class has been offered and was happy to see there are no exams, just a few quizzes and papers to write.  I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this class based on the first readings, but I think I will enjoy it.  Major plus is the grad student that is teaching it has a great sense of humor.  Always appreciated.

Today is my birthday, so will have a rare treat of eating out.  I chose PF Changs, I love their food although I'm not a big fan of their desserts.  Maybe after we'll go get an ice cream cone somewhere.  I haven't had ice cream in over a year, so that will be a rare treat as well.  Otherwise, it's a usual Saturday, with laundry and study!  I might need to hop on the treadmill and work off some of the excess, haha.

Have a great weekend!

Love, 365

Why don't I like Oprah like everyone else?

I just can't figure it out.......

Oprah is a very successful woman.....I find myself admiring her success and power, while at the same time I just instinctively can't make myself a fan.  The only real thing she's done that I found a bit too much was her book club.  For quite a while, it seemed no one I knew read anything other than books on her list, as though they have no idea what to read and have to be told.  It rankled.  If you were an author she enjoyed, you could reap the benefits.  If not, you had to wait for someone like me to find your book, and hopefully, there would be enough of us rebels to hoist your tome to the top of the lists.    And basically that's the only real issue for me.  I admire her philanthropy, her ability to remain her own woman without getting married, and the fact that she just never gives up trying to lose weight even though I think we're all tired of that one.  It's a mystery to me.  

Just recently there's been talk about her running for president.  She denies she would ever consider it....do we believe her?  Would you consider voting for Oprah?  I would immediately say no, but look what happened last year.  "My button is bigger than your button" indeed. 

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Classes begin next week ~ well, on Monday.  Although my Monday & Wednesday class won't start until Wednesday, the instructor already sent us a 17 page (single-spaced with a teeny tiny font) essay to read on "wilderness".   Sure, it's interesting.  (William Cronin's essay can be accessed here if you want to bother)  I suppose it never fails to amaze me how much I don't know.  I had never heard of this essay ~ no reason why I should except for being at the university.  Anyway, it's really already started, and in truth I feel grateful he didn't email us with the reading on Monday morning.  I've been slowly reading it for three days. I really hope this isn't indicative of what we'll be reading for the next 16 weeks.  The other class is online, and I can access it on the holiday.  That's the downside to online classes ~ holidays don't matter that much, although we won't have quizzes or exams on them.
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Have a great week ahead!
Love, 365

What I learned from Mom.........

A photo taken during the Great Depression

To be fair, my Mom was only 5 during the last year of the depression.......but really, I'm sure the effects lasted beyond 1939 in the hearts and minds of those who went through it.  My Grandparents had 8 children, and Mom was the second to last.  Times were tough.  She recalls getting an orange for Christmas one year ~ probably had a few other things as well, but she does remember that orange.

But, as tough as the depression era was, it passed along some valuable habits to many who survived it.  My Mom hated waste.  She reused everything she could.  We didn't get clothes very often ~ the one time we had more than two or so new outfits would have been right before school started, and Christmas/birthdays.  Shoes?  I suppose I had two pairs plus a pair of athletic shoes....when we called all of them tennis shoes, haha.  

And from here, I planned to list a few things I learned from Mom until I realized that I do them without paying attention, so my list was rather small.  Like washing your gym shoes (which I do with a load of towels so they don't bang around) and then air drying them.  One of our infrequent racquetball players commented on how clean our shoes were, and I mentioned that they can be washed and she seemed startled at the idea.  And here I though everyone did that......

I do appreciate the mind set that my Mom made a habit for me.  I'm not a big fan of wastefulness either.....I remember one of my coworkers watching me cut a tube of hand lotion in half with amazement.  I guess not many people bother, but you can still get 5 to 10 more uses if you do......

Do you have any clever tips?  Please share!

Love, 365

Wheeeeeeeee!

Unexpected day off......(Bing images)

It is likely that most dental offices were slammed during the holidays.....the kids and teachers are on holiday break, and Sandia Labs employees are off for a week between Christmas and New Years.  We were certainly busy, with people trying to use the last of their benefits and FSA cards.  We like busy days (as long as we manage it well.....sometimes there's chaos which isn't so fun) ~ the doctors are happy to be busy, and the day flies by.  But, as soon as the holiday is over, the patient load drops off, and on top of that, we have cancellations due to all the flu, colds, etc going on.  

To be fair, there are folks who were waiting for the new year to start dental work because they had used all their benefits during 2017, so next week looks almost as slammed at the week after Christmas.  

Now, on to the unexpected......the bad news is my boss has the flu.  Poor man, his wife had been sick, and she shared ~ isn't it nice when the spouse shares?  So, he didn't come in yesterday and wasn't planning on coming in today.  Since our hygienist is out, we were gifted an unexpected day off.  It's not with pay, but since we're at the first of the year, I have lots of PTO (paid time off), and I'll be using it.  

The first thing I did was text my racquetball peeps that I would be able to play today.....but I have other things I need to take care of as well, including the dreaded mammogram.  I am not excited about it, but plan to get it done.  Ugh.  

In a week, I'm taking another painting class.......you know, where you paint and drink?  I probably won't drink much, but I'm excited for the subject.

Sure, it's kind of crude, but I think that adds to the charm. Should be fun ~ a beer and appetizer are included!  

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One of the goals for 2018 is cutting back on my e-mails.....wow, I had no idea I had signed up for so many notifications!  I started this at the end of December, and I've had at least one unsubscribe every day.  Now I receive 3-5 instead of 15-25.  I'm still working on it, and unsubscribed to two this morning.  Definitely a work in progress.  Simplify....I suppose that's one of the goals I have for this year.

Have a wonderful day........

Love, 365

Midnight partier.........

The culprit....

The instigator........

Romeo and I don't stay up until midnight anymore.  Neither of us is a "partier", we've ~ this is absolutely true ~ never gone to a new year's eve party.  Never.  Romeo doesn't drink at all, I limit myself to 2 beers (or 3 every now and then).  We don't like crowds or rowdy, drunk people, probably due to each of us having an alcoholic parent.  Even when we DID stay up, it was at home watching the "ball drop" in New York City.  In our pajamas.  

But, here in Albuquerque (& probably any good ol' American city) any excuse to shoot off fireworks is met with glee.  So, we were sound asleep when the dog heard some fireworks and decided she needed to roam the house and bark at it.  You know, because barking at it might frighten the folks that are out to have a little fun, and they'll stop.  Once she gets going, there's no stopping her.  Romeo finally got out of bed & went to the spare room where she is allowed to get on the bed ~ only then would she shut up.  For the love of Pete.....

It's a good thing I'm off today, as I wasn't able to fall back asleep for at least an hour, and even then I tossed and turned.  I know Romeo didn't sleep well ~ he was in bed with the dog :-)

Love, 365