Plans for the weekend

Well, first a happy birthday to a dear friend, Ken.
Today, Joey and I are meeting up with my friend Julie to see Indiana Jones and I'm finally going to meet her other dog Roscoe. I met her Lucy when she brought her into work...that's how I know Julie.
Joey's car is still not working. It's slightly driveable but he will probably get stuck someone once again if the fuel pump isn't taken care of so last night we got it towed to a mechanic he has used before. We're both hoping it's not going to cost as much as it's estimated. So until it gets fixed, we're on one car. So not too many plans are going to be made because of money.
Hope everyone has a great weekend. I'll have my review of Indy up later on my movie blog (check sidebar for link).

Cutie Alert

Einstein Quote

"If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed."

It's Always Something

Let's see...you know about my ordeal with work. Now, yesterday, the car that I got in an accident with in January was returned to me all because of Wells Fargo. If anyone works there I would love to speak with you and try to get the company the settlement check. It's a very long saga story and I really don't want to rehash it. And then today, Joey's car breaks down and is undriveable as he's trying to help his friend Chris move his stuff. It just seems like just when things settle down...something else comes up to disturb the peace.

In the Work World of Ollie

My boss, also one of the founders of my agency, announced that she's leaving yesterday. She'll be officially leaving sometime in August. Part of me is thinking that it's about time and finally we can get the agency to where it should be. Another part of me is thinking that it's too little too late despite the rest of the head honchos wanting me to stay on board.

Happy Dance

Here's the picture of the needlepoint for my aunt and uncle. Now I just have to find a frame or get it framed for their cottage which is moose-themed. Sorry that the picture is a little blurry.

Memorial Day 2008

I had a very relaxing day. I said a silent thank you to my deceased grandfathers for their contribution to the Armed Forces in the morning and spent most of the day playing a new video game-The Lost Crown. Last night, I watched a movie and actually did some craft stuff-the stamped needlepoint for my aunt and uncle. I'll probably be done with that in another session or two. Once it's completed, I'll post a picture.

Weekend

Haven't done much this weekend. Joey and I did hit Target yesterday and I got a new floor lamp along with a new PC game and a few other little things. I took a nice long nap and then watched Homicide the rest of the day. Today is probably going to be more of the same.

Work

Well, the audit went over okay. Charts were still not done in time but luckily they allowed for us to pick some to review and they went over others that were reviewed back in December. Minor things need to be fixed and are already in the process of being done. The one thing that infuriated me on Friday was that my boss felt it was more important to go to her daughter's dance recital (bear in mind it was the fourth one in a 2-week time span and she went to all the previous ones) than to either help or even stay for the audit. And this is her agency! So I'm basically through.

Cutie Alert

Today's the day....

Audit time. Needless to say, I was extremely annoyed and then even got enraged. I heard that my boss, the founder of the agency, came into the conference room that we were using...I happened to be out of the room at the time...and had a blank look on her face like she didn't understand what we were doing. WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?!?!??!?! I was so angered when I heard that I had to leave the room and went to talk to the executive director. Here we are, trying to salvage her agency because she and her former partners screwed it up. I was so pissed. In fact, I still am....maybe it's because I worked 11.5 hours yesterday going through charts, never got a thank you or can I help you from her or others, my workers weren't there like they were supposed to be, I got hardly any sleep, and am already here to go through more charts before the auditors come this afternoon. Damn this job.

Einstein Quote

"The state of mind which enables a man to do work of this kind is akin to that of the religious worshiper or the lover; the daily effort comes from no deliberate intention or program, but straight from the heart."

Just when you thought it couldn't get worse...

I found out yesterday that my agency is being audited on Friday. It is a follow-up to December's audit but it's basically a complete audit. Now, if people just gave a damn about the charts and crap like I've been fighting about for the last few months, I would be okay. But, no...our charts are still shit. And the head honchos are trying to run me ragged in getting stuff that I don't have time to get. Sometimes I really hate being in the social work field.

Life...

Well, I'm back to the grind at work and not thrilled by it. Funny thing happened yesterday...as I was driving in, the tension in my neck and shoulders got tighter and tighter the closer I got to work. So what do you think that means? On the good side, I had a phone interview yesterday afternoon for a position closer to home and from my resume that I had sent in the previous day. It sounds interesting and it has benefits and higher pay. Keep your fingers crossed.

Happiness is....

another Tori Amos live CD...Thanks Joey.

Rockin' Out

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of listening to Joey play drums with two of his former bandmates and best friends, Patrick and Jeff. Not bad for a trio of guys who have played together for 10+ years. These guys are extremely talented and it's a real shame that every time they have tried to create a band and have it stick, it's never worked out...mostly due to personality conflicts. They all told me that they haven't played together for at least 2 years or so...it seemed like to me they picked up exactly where they left off. It was good to see another side of Joey and get to know his best friends a little bit.
Also, Patrick has these two beyond adorable dogs...Parker and Rocky. Parker's a beagle and Rocky is a puppy mutt. Both extremely sweet. And I had the pleasure of making sure that they were okay with the ruckus. Hard job but someone had to do it.

Cats and the strange places they sleep

My last day.....

and I have the pleasure of heading into work...at least it's only to pick up my paycheck. And I'll be giving some work back to people.
Yesterday, I ended up going to both Michael's and AC Moore. I only picked up some yarn that was on sale...now if I could only find my crochet stuff...and a hoop for my needlework...finally got one as attempting to do my mom's teapot wasn't really working well without a hoop.
I also watched Homicide and watched Boots sleeping in a box...I'll post a picture later.
Joey and I went out for Indian last night. Despite the poor quality of service and the flies that wanted in our food....the food was EXCELLENT. It was as good as the restaurant, Joy, that Scott and I used to go to in New York City. Unfortunately for Scott, it's no longer there.

Day # 4 and counting

And so far my plans for today are not happening as I was supposed to be getting paid today but no one is getting paid until tomorrow...another example of why I love my job.
After going to the lake yesterday, I watched another movie and reviewed some progress notes. Yes, I know I'm supposed to be on vacation but they need to be done. Last night I went through more stuff...stuff that never even should have made it to Scott's place. Oh well, it will now be discarded.
Today is pretty much up in the air of what I'm going to do.

Pics from this morning

These were taken by my camera phone. I went to the lake to feed the ducks and geese and then sat down and watched them. These are from when I was sitting down and watching them.

Day #3

Well, today was going to be my beach day but with the weather not wanting to cooperate, it's going to be errand day instead.
Yesterday, I managed to finish the Netflix movies that were here, went through my pictures over the years (way too many of Sal and Jeremy and none of Scott), and just overall relaxed.
So far not too bad of a vacation. Of course, because I'm who I am, I'm still checking in at work...gotta know if I have a job to return to...and so far I do, for right now.

Cutie Alert

Does anyone else notice that I love Goldens?

The Spring Vacation Continues.....

I had the pleasure of spending some of it with Joey yesterday afternoon. He got off of work early and came home before he headed off to school last night.
I ended up catching up on some TV and watched A Chorus Line. I also went through some bags that haven't been unpacked since I moved in with Scott. Found some things that I had been looking for.
Today I'll be watching some more movies and going through some more boxes and bags. Maybe go to the lake and feed the birds.
I am still debating on if I'm going to head to the coast or not. The weather isn't going to be all that warm (beach warm) so it would be kinda pointless in spending the money for gas to go to the beach and not really be able to enjoy the warmth.

Helpful Kitty (or at least trying to be)

This is Suzie

Possessed Kitty

This is Boots

Stitching update

This is the latest on the teapot for my mom...finally decided to play around with the digital camera and Joey's computer.

How I'm Spending My Spring Vacation

Today....no work....woohoo! I've already caught up on Survivor....another season where the person I wanted to win didn't win. At least this time I don't completely hate the winner.
Not sure what else I'm going to do today. Probably finish catching up on Lost and color my hair...gotta hide those grays!
Other than that...relax....relax.....relax

Another number added to my age

But first...Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there.

Yup, this year, my birthday falls on mom's day. Last night, Joey took me out for dinner. Ended up being beer and buffalo wings. Then we hit a music/vido store where I picked up the latest Def Leppard and Counting Crows CDs along with Inside Man DVD. Today, I don't have much planned. Going to probably watch some movies and get groceries. Maybe even do some laundry...how exciting! What I hate is that I can't remember what I did last year. Sorry Scott-can you remember? I think that seeing Live on my 30th has blinded me for all birthdays to come!

A day before my birthday and where am I?

In the office...going through charts. I'm surprisingly in a decent mood....probably because I know I won't be here until the 19th after today. Woohoo.

Good advice

Thank you Jim Davis

Determination

I was determined last night to NOT do any work at home after 5pm. I actually managed to do it. I even managed to turn my mind off of it when I started thinking about work. I did some work on the needlepoint project that I'm working on for my aunt and uncle. No pictures as I'm still learning how to upload the pictures from my camera to Joey's computer.
I even pampered myself by taking a bubblebath and relaxing.
However, I ended up sleeping on the living room floor because when Joey came to bed, I couldn't go back to sleep. So in order to not toss and turn and wake him up and steal the covers, I left.
Maybe that's why I got so heated and upset during a meeting this morning. I just don't understand what it has to take for people to listen to workers who actually do their job and make the best tries to do their job appropriately but because the so called team leader doesn't communicate crap, it gets blamed onto my worker. I'm really close to saying fuck this job and social work. People need to listen, especially to stuff that they don't want to listen to. And, even better, admit when they have fucked up and try to remedy the situation before it gets to the point of where it's at now.
So now I'm home. Frustrated with myself because I ended up in tears at work. Frustrated that I forgot something at work in order to do some paperwork and I refuse to do it twice. So now, I can go and attempt to go through the latest progress notes that I also brought home.
Thank God I'm on vacation next week.

Realization

I'm angry. Very very angry. And no matter how well I think I'm hiding it, it isn't working. You know it's bad when your boss calls you a troll. I don't know if it's because I'm exhausted. Sick and tired of being lied to. Just the general dealing as a supervisor. Not having a couch or chair to relax in when I get home. What I went through a few weeks ago. Knowing that I'll be on vacation from work but have no plans of doing anything or going anywhere. I'm not happy. Now in order to change some things, it will be huge risks that I'm not 100% sure I'm ready or willing to try to do. But, then again, I may never be and I could be miserable for the rest of my life which isn't fair to me.
I've been going through some things the last month or so and it's all taking it's toll on me. The surgery, the not seeing Joey as much due to his going back to school, being lied to at work, not being listened to at work or at home, the finding out that my parents are moving to Kentucky, the seeing my past get hurt and me wanting to physically be there for them, the constant driving and watching the gas prices go up and up.
I wish I had the money or at least contact with a massage therapist to get a proper body massage and to try to relax. I feel like I can't enjoy the things that I like to do (crafting, reading, etc) because I'm always thinking about work no matter how hard I try to leave it at work (doesn't help when I bring home the paperwork). I wish I could not be so tired and do the crafting I want to do. I almost wish I had my subway commute back so I could be reading as much as I used...almost you NYers out there.
My boss asked me today what she/they as in the agency, could do to help me not breakdown. I just wanted to go on a tirade with that one. I'm like, where do you want me to start? The lying, the petty arguments in front of my staff that they don't need to witness, the lack of communication, the constant attempts of putting a square peg in a round hole?
I think that my social work career is finally coming to a head and I need to figure out how much longer do I stay in it and how daring do I want to be in going ahead in doing something different and then figure out what that something different is. I'm tired of helping others. I'm tired of people in general. I would love to just be a hermit for a while and not have to deal with anyone.
I know that some will read this and feel they shouldn't come to me about their problems. If I really am your friend and have been recently helping you or at least listening to you, you don't need to stop coming to me. I'm just frustrated with my job and my future.

Another Monday

and I feel like I've never left my agency's building. I'm actually locking myself in my office to focus on getting some of this paperwork finished that has been building up and piling up.
Yesterday, I could have fallen asleep at 5 or 6 pm. And to come home and have an argument doesn't help the stressful situation that I've seem to put myself in.

Welcome to Hell

At least that's how I'm feeling this weekend. I worked yesterday. I'm working today...why you might ask? Because people haven't been doing their jobs and no one was held accountable. So now I have the pleasure along with a couple of others to go in on a nice weekend and do crap to make sure that the agency doesn't end up closing.
At least today, one of my workers brought in her dog.

You know it's bad when...

EVERY dream you have is about work.

Comfort is....

listening to the purr of your cat whether she be on your head while you're trying to sleep or on your chest as you're trying to type

Sadness

I got the call last night. My parents are moving and are going to be selling my childhood home. The home that I've been able to call home since I was 3. Yes, I haven't lived there since I was 22 but over the last 10 years and all of my moves, it was the one place that I could always call home, no matter what. Now it's all changing. I'm not happy about it at all. I knew that it was coming. I just didn't expect it to be happening now. I'm debating on asking them if they need/want me to come up to help them pack up the stuff, fearing that it will be too emotional.

Friday's Feast

This week's Friday's Feast:

Appetizer

What was your favorite cartoon when you were a child?
-Looney Toons

Soup

Pretend you are about to get a new pet. Which animal would you pick, and what would you name it?
-Dog-golden Retriever-would have to see the personality before the name.

Salad

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy getting all dressed up for a special occasion?
2

Main Course

What kind of music do you listen to while you drive?
-usually listen to sports radio or rock

Dessert

When was the last time you bought a clock? And in which room did you put it?
-man, it's been a long time, probably a few years ago and put it in my bedroom

Another dollar....another day

At least I sparked it up a little yesterday by writing a little profile thing for Scott. He asked me to. I guess he's trying to get an outside look at himself. I have to admit that it was kinda hard in writing about him while trying to more think like him. It was easy to write all the nice things and I didn't even begin to start writing about the negative things (there aren't that many).
Last night, I had the joy of going through progress notes for work and more notes and more notes. They never seem to stop. It does help me as a supervisor get a clearer understanding of what ALL the participants are doing with the families.
Oh...and I actually finished a book too.