Buying Stamps

Hello,

Yesterday one of my co-workers did the ILL job because I have so much work piled up on my desk. I so miss my favorite “Z” source where I could find the records for movies and simply take them. Now I can find the records, but I must do a cut and paste which is certainly more labor intensive. Going back to the ILL, when that is done it means a trip to the post office. With me, I had brought some postcards for the grandchildren that needed stamps. Now I had no genuine reason to go there.

Later in the afternoon a patron, whose name I cannot name, said she was on her way to the post office. I asked, “Would you buy some stamps and mail my cards if I give you money?”

I gave her ten dollars which should more than cover the card mailing cost along with the purchase of a few extra stamps. Almost twenty minutes later she had not returned. It did cross my mind that she might not come back, not likely, but one never knows. Then I got to thinking about how I do not know her name. I could pick her out of a line up, I think, but I could not name her. That happens with many of the patrons. This woman does not check out often so I do not see her name. She seems quite familiar with me in the way she speaks with me, using my name, course I have on a name tag. Could I have known her in the past? I rack my brain and get no results. So that mystery will remain. She did return with stamps and change.

I will be working tonight. The certified yoga person who does an evening yoga class will be out of town for two weeks. I have been looking at the yoga DVD’s trying to decide which would be the best to lead the class. Then yesterday, my boss commented that the projector is not always working and could I lead the class if necessary. I feel a bit intimidated because I am sure this woman is better than I am, but I said yes in spite of that. Now my stomach is just a bit tight, rumbling, and uneasy. I might lose some more weight which seems to happen when I get anxious. Maybe the anxiety preventing routine is what I should do tonight? Or perhaps the one preventing insomnia? After all I do not want to keep people up.

Paula

Being Honest

Hello,

Being honest seems easy enough until you start living. Our landlords have gifted us with their wireless internet password for the more than two years we have lived here. It did not seem dishonest to me, but a great blessing, even a part of our utility bill.

Then we got the phone in the VoIP mode.  That has also worked fine for almost two years. When our landlords did a recent remodel and moved the router, the phone stopped working. After much problem solving attempts, they let us plug our phone into the router. The difficulties came to light when their tech guy said we could not do that. It is against the law to have two households using one Internet connection. We did not act fast on that, in part because of wondering if it were really a problem and because we were both gone for some of that time. The tech guy came back, pulled the plug on our phone and stated that he did not want to see it there again. So we are without a home phone at the moment. Saturday we signed up for internet service with a different company than the one used in the house.

As a person who “prides” herself on being honest, it is difficult to hear someone say I am not. Then there is the desire to not spend money on something that we could get free. Temptation is very strong. We even discussed forgetting the home phone and continuing to use the internet connection. I would not think of going to a store and taking something out without paying for it. I also would not take something from someone’s home. Just like copyright issues these almost intangible things are more liftable. It would appear that we are not hurting or taking from anyone directly.

Life and morals are indeed complicated. At least starting on Tuesday we will be honest about our phone/internet service. Now are there other areas of my life that are really dishonest and I do not know?

Paula

Mother's Day

Hello,

It is a quiet mother’s day in this household. Leroy and I walked to church at a brisk pace because we had left the house later than usual. That is good for us because even though we walk frequently we do not get enough aerobic exercise. Leroy who is now part time is not riding the bike so often. He was at a class for a week out of town and did little exercise and much eating, consequently he thinks he gained five pounds. My stomach was upset while I was gone and my weight is down enough that Leroy thinks I should drink malt.

When I opened my email I found a gift card from Brian’s family. I went immediately to the “store” and considered what I might get. The first thing that came to mind is a book I have been planning to buy for all three children’s families for our Utah meeting in July. The book was seven dollars off so, of course, I had to buy it immediately. Then Leroy and I discussed what we might buy so we could get free shipping. Leroy suggested that I get a flash drive so I can save my things separately. There is a gift to myself. Money spent and a bit more. I also thought I might splurge sometime when I am out and about or I could assuage my guilt about buying three clothing items when in Utah and two more after I got home. These were things I did not need, but they looked nice and were at great sale prices. So that is all justified now, right?

The clerk here commented that we, Leroy also got three things, would be ready for fall. Don’t tell anyone, but I wore the cardigan sweater to work yesterday, in the spring, and thought it was great. I suppose I should go through my drawers/closet and eliminate some things. Oh, but it is hard to live up to ones standards. I do not want to get rid of anything. I did manage to get everything in so it seems fine to just let things stay.

Paula

New Learning

Hello,

Last time I worked we had a strong thunder/rain storm come through. During the pounding rain the power went out. There was a patron in there working on the computer. He talked about going home, but I convinced him to wait awhile until the rain abated. He did that. I had not heard him talk much in the past, but he chatted right along without much help from me as I did some not electricity requiring chores such as watering plants, applying new stickers covering books, and keeping an eye on my lone patron. I was eating my lunch during this time and finished my apple just about when the rain stopped but the power had not come back on. I do not like to put my apple cores in the wastebasket because of rotting fruit smell so I took it outside to the close to the library. When I pulled on the door to come back in I learned that the exterior door locks when the power is off. My key does not open that outside door. I could have gone around to the back, but instead I called to the guy inside the building. He did not come. After calling futilely I went to the window close to his seat and tapped on the window, talked loudly, and motioned to the door. He then got up and rescued me.

I could have gone around to the back door as my key works there, but it was nice not to walk so far in the fine mist.

It seems there are always more minute points to discover in any place. At least now I knew where the flash lights are stored and that they do work. I was also pleased that the library has such great windows in the main part of the library so I could see without difficulty. I was also glad that it was not a tornado warning even though I do know what to do in that event. It was great too that when the power returned all computers came back up and functioned properly without assistance.

Paula

Speedy Trip Home

Hello,

The light rail train came at 9:01 according to Miriam’s schedule. She had me at the stop by ten of 9:00; however just after she had purchased the ticket she said excitedly, “Here comes the train.” We had to quickly more up the track so I could get in the last door. A guy who wanted to get on with his bicycle held the door so we could engage in a brief hug. At the connection stop I only waited six minutes for the next train rather than Miriam’s schedule suggested 17 minutes. Consequently I was at the airport in plenty of time to settle into that preboarding routine. At security the man looked at my ticket to check which line I should join. With disappointment I moved into the regular take off your shoes line. However, at the first curve in my line, three people of ahead of me were waved into the express lane. I was included in that group. I had double knotted my laces so had untied them ahead of time, but I did not complain about retying them. I zipped right on through security without removing anything but the unfashionable fanny pack.

Arriving at the gate, I decided to stand and do some discreet exercise moves before sitting down. Amazingly they started loading the plane about 20 to 30 minutes early. We were all seated and we even took off 20 minutes early. I have not had that happen in the past. Course it really did not matter to me because I had three hours or more to wait for my flight out of Denver. Too bad I did not get that perk with some tight connection.

My flight out of Denver left early too and I landed about ten minutes early, but it always takes a while to deplane so it was at the scheduled landing time when I called Leroy to pick me up. There were even other people in the cell phone lot in spite of the long line at the airport door. I just stepped between cars and Leroy stopped in the second lane so there was no parking. If it had not been for the long layover I would have been home in a short time.

Paula

Graduation picture.

Just a pictures of smiling people, Miriam, Nora and me.

Paula

In Utah

Hello,

I had quick uneventful flights with little time to spend between flights. I suppose it was as fluid as it could be without being a direct flight. Miriam picked me up at the airport so I did not navigate the train, but I believe on my way out I will put in that effort. Time was added to the trip to de-ice the plane in Denver. It was not much snow on the plane, but… I had noticed the white ground when we landed.

It was fun to pick up the girls after school as they were suitably excited. However just to keep things in perspective we had not been home long before they wanted to go play with friends.

At seven years old, Olivia started taking piano lessons less than two months ago. A recital is planned for next weekend. She will be participating in that. There will be four pieces in which she will play. There will be two other girls who will be joined at the piano by a parent. The teacher will be playing with Olivia. I sat in on their first group practice. It was a little bit tough to have all play together, but I think now it will probably come together. I have been practicing with Olivia. Today she did much better than that last time. Miriam tells me that is because it was in the morning when she does her best. The recital will be at night after her usual bed time. It should be interesting, however I will be home so will not hear.

Miriam’s graduation was a beautiful day, we had good seats, the girls were polite and attentive, and Miriam is now officially that master of social work person.

She is getting a lot of work done around the house and I have been helping. We dead headed the daffodils and tulips, dug a few weeks, cleaned the patio, and swept a good portion of the garage. It is so warm here that I have a time adjusting. Although when I walked the first morning with the girls there was frost on the ground and we could see our breath. It seems to me that Iowa is not the only place that has very changeable weather.

Paula