Rocking the State Fair of TX!

Mother Goose is a HIT at the State Fair and  over the past three days I've learned that no matter how much you prepare for 'every' possible problem something you never thought of is bound to happen! But I'm happy to say I'm not too old to learn and this has been a great experience so far. The folks we have encountered at the Fair are exceptional; from the young-at-heart stopping by to relive the rhymes they once loved to the kiddos ready to be awed by Goosey the Gander puppet, the satisfaction ratings are at an all-time high. Now if I can keep Mother Goose from taking another unscripted tumble off the back of the stage again (like she did today) my world will be a happy place.

fun times at the fair

Tomorrow is the first day Dallas Public Library appears at the State Fair of Texas doing Mother Goose storytime! I would be a dead woman without Jasmine pulling this all together with me but I think it's going to be great. Let the sweat-fest begin....this would be so much more fun if the weather was cooler!

A tough week

Ever have a week when you just felt like you got nothing right? Or that there aren't enough hours in a day? Or that no matter how you explain it people just don't hear what you are saying? Or that no matter how much trust you have in someone they are bound to let you down? That pretty much describes my last 10 days here on planet DPL.

A bright light...tonight I plan to work on my 'surprise' wedding gift for Brittany and Joe since Mom keeps asking me about it; I better actually get it done!

Macy's model of service

The library is changing its service model on October 1 to what our director has dubbed the 'Macy's model' of service. It basically means no waiting at the desk for customers, all staff on the floor working with the 'product' and you tell customer's 'let me know when you need help'. WELL, I was at Macy's today to check out the Labor Day sales and I was inundated  with help the whole time I was there. SO we'll see how this will work for the library....I think Macy's has lots more people working the floor than we will have at the library. ;) Yes, I did make a few purchases but each and every one was a GREAT DEAL, nothing over $20!
My "OMG" moment of the day today: There was an older man and woman pushing a baby stroller in Macy's so of course I took a peek to see the baby and there was a DOG riding in there!

a brother's visit

Sometimes all it takes to make your week better is a nice chat with your brother! I only had him to myself for a few hours but it was better than taking a Valium. ;) First we had happy hour with my favorite peeps, laughed a bunch and then went to dinner. Not much but I came home feeling better than I had all weeks. Thanks Tom!

Sid-less

Last night I bid good-bye to Sid. It was hard but it had to be done as his emotions were beginning to deepen and mine were not. It is done and I feel like a load has been lifted off my shoulders.

I had my annual physical today and I'm officially fat! The scale does not lie! UGH--time to get back on the treadmill/elliptical/side walk whatever....I need to move-n-groove, I just wish the temperatures would go below 100 so I could be outside as that is easier for me than going to a gym.

I can't wait to go to FL next week and see my mom. I miss her and I need a mama-hug right now.

Post vacation blues

My trip to Roche Harbor, WA was terrific with time for relaxation as well as great fun with my second family. Bobby and Billie Sue's wedding was memorable and so romantic and I enjoyed just roaming around RH on my own. The sad part was I didn't long to share it anyone else. Really, there was no desire to pick up the phone and to say "I wish you were here". It just wasn't/isn't there...how sad is that?

So I was back at work for one whole day then off to DC for the ICMA grant review conference, which I was sort of dreading and it turned out to be a good experience. I got back Friday evening just in time to be at the Mayor's Summer Reading Program end party today. It was hot, but fun and we had about 400 folks turn out so it was a success. Now I'm wishing I was back in Roche Harbor instead of avoiding phone calls from someone.

Vacation prep

YAY only two more work days before I leave for vacation. I'm so excited to get to see my friends and to see a wonderful couple tie the knot. Usually I'm pretty cynical about weddings and I can barely tolerate the lovie-dovie crap that surrounds it but I think this one will be different. Oh there will still be lovie-dovie crap I'm sure but Bobby and Billie Sue are the real deal and you don't see that very often.
On the flip-side their wedding is giving me a much needed break from the real world. My plan....relax, spa, relax, read, relax and maybe take a few walks. AHHHH I feel the stress leaving my back muscles already! ;)

Good deed

I was rear-ended a week ago Tuesday. Then on Sunday I was rear-ended yet again. The week before my bumper got smooshed twiced the coin holder in my car fell off....does that count as three hits? (cause I'm really over it) I went to Acura where my lovely Tony pushed the bumper back in place so it didn't look so sad. The estimate to replace it was CRAZY high so I decided to just live with my scratched/cracked bumper because the young man who made the initial hit was so contrite and so nice. I called him today to tell him I was letting him off the hook for the replacement and he told me he has a friend who he thinks will be able to fix it up a bit. SO all is well that ends well and both he and I feel better about our little accident. Afterall what are bumpers for if you can't bump them?

Father's Day

This is one of three days out of the year that I allow myself to really wallow in the fact that I miss my dad. It'll be 15 years on August 15th since he died and truth be told not a week goes by when I don't think of him and wonder if he would be proud of the person I've become and the job that I do.
I laughed so hard today that I almost peed and I definitely farted....more than once! In past years I've cried on this day but I think it is much more appropriate that I had an honest to goodness belly-laugh. Yep, it is better to laugh than cry. Definitely!

Dream Cafe and friends

Met L and A for dinner tonight at the Dream and it was such fun. Conversation ran the gamut from work to men to food to shoes to you name it, but the best part was the wondrous feeling of acceptance I had upon my departure, something that you can only get from an evening with the girls!

Now I'm couch-bound for the rest of the night which suits me just fine as I ran all over town in this 100 degree heat we had today in search of gemstone stickers or glitter stickers to go on the 300 princess and prince crowns we will use at Bookmarks 2nd Birthday Bash next week. I was successful so it was worth the effort and that's what counts in my world.

A New Era at DPL

Our library director retired yesterday and our interim director started today. The biggest difference on the 2nd floor was the attitude; it was much lighter and there was a lot more laughter. The outlook is still pretty dismal budget-wise for the library department. It irks me that our fine mayor who has been a strong library supporter and proponent of literacy will not concede that it is time to raise the tax base. Just one lousy cent per household would maintain the library at its current budget! Stay tuned as this saga will continue until August.

Summer reading is up and running even though the damn database it giving me fits, but what else it new, it does this every year! But otherwise things seem to be going well---I even got some positive feedback from a few managers at out meeting this afternoon, which was pleasant change of pace.

Children's Center construction still hasn't started but I'm told we are still on track to re-open in the winter! Amazingly the floor was demolished months ago but we must wait for them to complete the L1 level before starting on our project. I know it will be here before I know it but it seems like it is taking forever.

Memorial Day

All day today I've tried not to remember but to look forward, well it didn't work. I went for a long walk this morning and my mind kept wandering back to happier days in my life. I know Memorial Day is meant to honor our nation's war heroes but it is hard not to personalize it a bit. I thought about my dad and how my life might have been different had he lived longer. I also reminiscenced about lost love. It might have made me sad for a moment but it ended up making me feel good. Sometimes you do have to look backwards in order to move forward.

To all you scrapbookers out there I can only say 'YOU ARE CRAZY!' I was charged with making a scrapbook out of about 40 photos of our library director who will retire tomorrow. I spent over $100 on supplies and it took me more than 9 hours to put it all together. That's just nuts!!!! But I must say, it did turn out pretty good, but then I'm clearly no expert. The satisfaction of finishing it is still with me and it I can't wait to see what my colleagues think of it tomorrow.

Panic sets in

As I do at this time every year I panic inside as the beginning of summer reading season descends. Saturday is the big day and I'm nervous about the new database and the new program format. I do have high hopes that it will all go well--send good karma my way!

Personally I've hit my longest run in the 'dating the same person' category. I've know him for over a year but it's been on and off a couple of times. Lately we've spent a lot of time together and this is the point where I usually hit the road...you know, run for the hills. It's getting serious so it's time to get the hell out. Hmmm, for now I'm just treading water not making any decisions. When did I become such a wimp?

Self Evaluation without Condemnation

We all start each new year with resolutions to lose weight, save money, exercise more etc. Those who know me know that every year I make a point of making NO resolutions! This year I was flying home to TX from FL on 12/29 when my flight was delayed by bad weather. I watched those around me react and it was varied, some were visibly pissed off, some were calm, some just started making calls....it made me stop and think. I had spent my last hours in FL with my niece Bethany as she drove me the 90 miles to the airport and we had a nice chat. I must say it never ceases to amaze me what smart relatives I have. I'll not reveal the what of the conversation but just say it was our chat that has made me decide to be better to myself in 2010.
To that end I'm trying to be less critical about myself. It is true we are our own worse ememies so I'm trying to stop the cycle in my head. Yes, still working on those 'crazies' I spoke of last week. It's not rocket science but if I can smile more inside I figure I can smile more outside!

Pancakes and Pedicures!

Tuesday is my Saturday, or regular day off for all those out of my loop. Today I met Tara and Alei for our favorite meal at The Originial Pancake House then Alei and I went for pedicures. Then I took Scarlet (my car) for her annual physical (state inspection) at Acura. It was a great day that ended with a nice surprise, drinks and getting reacquainted with an old friend. Hmmmm not bad for a Tuesday!
Work is gearing back up with lots of fun events in the planning. First is Vision Fest in mid-January for which Laura Bush will be joining us to give out free eye exams to low-income kids. The idea is, give them clear vision, they'll do better in school and stay our of jail....it's our first of what we hope will be an annual event. Then in April I have Dallas Kids Read, formerly the Children's Book Fair and Literary Festival, then of course, we run right into Summer Reading! It seems like we just wrapped up last summer, doesn't it? As part of my annual performance review I was told to 'delegate more' so I'm working on that with all these big projects.
I'm reading Deepak Chopra's Reinventing The Body, Resurrecting The Soul right now in hopes that I can cure my 'crazies'! ;) It's been enlightening so far and I'll let you know if I the ah ha moment occurs anytime soon.