Retirement

It happened this week. My right hand, the other side of my brain, my all-knowing sidekick at work retired. Although I'm thrilled for her, I just haven't yet figured out how to function without her sitting across the hall. She's the one I can talk to about anything. She helps me understand all kinds of crazy regulations so that I can program our system correctly. She's my back-up when there is too much to do. Frankly, she just takes good care of me.

This week we had a retirement party and many friends stopped by the office. Some of them were retired themselves. They looked healthy and happy. There was no job stress etched on their faces. They were relaxed and excited that she had "made it and escaped."

So now I'm completely jealous. It will be quite a few years before I have this opportunity since my youngest is a 4th grader. Fortunately I do enjoy my job, so I'll move the retirement idea to the back of my head (at least until the next person decides it's time to retire).

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor - it is the gift of God.

Honestly, I'm very thankful that I had the honor of working with such a wonderful person. I'll miss her a lot, but I don't think she'll be surprised to get the occasional text, email or call from me when I start to freak out because she isn't there. I'll try to control myself DG. :)

Sweet Exhaustion

We made it! We got through the conference with only a few hiccups. I worked late each night to prepare for the next day. My prayer every morning was to stay calm and enjoy the day. Thankfully, I didn't get nervous. I had fun and I tried to make sure that everyone else had fun, too. I had a video greeting from the governor that everyone could hear, but not see. I chalked it up to technical difficulties and played it the next day.

During the first evening, we had a President's Reception. I wanted to talk to everyone, but that's not always easy. So I decided to take my camera and be the photographer. I could walk up to those I didn't know, ask if I could take their photo, then spend a few minutes talking with them before moving to the next group. We took the photos and added them to slideshows in our next general session when we were all together again. It was a lot of fun.

Our keynote speaker was Clyde Anderson, a financial analyst and contributor on CNN. Sounds like a dull subject, but he stole the show. He was one of our most popular guests. Our awards banquet was  well received, along with a charicature artist who was also very popular.

After the final session on Friday morning, we closed out the conference and left the hotel. I was tired and hungry, so I stopped at a Cracker Barrel about 10 miles away. I sat, ate, and decompressed. I spent some time in the gift shop talking with one of the workers. She had relocated from Virginia and we talked for quite a while. I climbed back in my car feeling lighter and freer than I had in months. My conference was over and, thanks to God, it had been good. 

Psalm 107:8 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

Prep Time

I've spent almost a year looking forward to and also dreading this week.  It's our state association's yearly financial aid conference and I am presiding over it. My poor office mates and family have been watching my tensions rise over the last few weeks. I'm still not quite ready, working on finishing the speeches I'm tasked to do and writing around 50 thank notes.

There will be about 200 colleagues attending and I do so enjoy being with this group. Perhaps I won't get too nervous this week. I'm going to try to think that they are not there to judge me, but to support me.

Psalm 31:19 Oh, how great is Your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have prepared for those who trust in You in the presence of the sons of men!

I'm taking tomorrow off to get my ducks in a row and drive to the conference site. I'll keep in mind that ultimately God is in control and I trust that He will prepare me and lead me on this journey.

I Lost My Cool

I usually have a fairly even temperament, but one day this week I lost my cool. It was a long and very frustrating day. Every task seemed to take more time than it should and every question sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard. There was a deadline to deal with and a flurry of questions that I had no time to answer.

Then it happened. Someone sent some incorrect information to a student. It sent me over the edge and I said something I shouldn't have. The person who heard me doubled over in a fit of laughter. It took less than a minute for the entire office to gather around to be filled in on all of the details. I was slightly embarrassed, but still angry about the situation. However, the laughter from my office mates did more to relieve my tension than anything else.

I Johm 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Yes, I really am human and I can lose my cool. Thankfully, He is faithful.  Always.

A Day Off

I rarely take a day off.  After working in the same place for 25 years, I've accumulated about 6 months of sick leave and 45 days of vacation time. I feel blessed to have had good health and I do take off about 4 weeks each year, but to just take a random day off is unusual because I begin to think of all of the things I need to do at work. However, after a couple of 6 day work weeks, I was really tired and needed a break. I took a day off on Friday.

It was a great day! I had fun running around, doing errands, picking up supplies, shopping and shopping some more. I even bought a new dress for Mother's Day. And I ate a burger and fries just because I could. :)

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor - it is the gift of God.  

I was busy and on the go, but it was just what I needed and exactly what I wanted to do. Friday was definitely a gift from above.