"Who's singing? I hear singing." Oops. I didn't think anyone could hear me. I focused in on the work sitting on the desk in front of me and pretended I hadn't heard anything. It didn't matter, it only took a second or two for her to reach my office and ask, "Was that you I heard singing when I walked by?" While I don't like to admit singing in public, it wasn't worth a lie. "Were you singing along to the radio? No? Oh, how cute. You have your own little soundtrack."
It's true. Most of the time I have a song running through my head. Who doesn't? I figure it's not a terrible way to spend the day. It's like hold music or elevator music, just a little something to make you forget that you're not doing anything terribly exciting. My "personal soundtrack" usually reflects my mood too.
The other day I turned a corner to see Tracy, our regional nutrition education supervisor. She is responsible for overseeing all of the WIC certifiers, and conducts all of our annual audits. I didn't even greet her when I saw her, I merely said, "I've been expecting you." Tracy is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet, but its always nerve-wracking to have someone stand over your shoulder, evaluating your every move. "When you get your next chart, we'll do your audit," she said. A few short minutes later, as I headed towards my room with my clients, the song "Phantom Regiment" by Leroy Anderson was going through my head. "Lightly dark" is how I describe the mood of the song, and that's what I was feeling- a little nervous, but I knew I would be okay in the end.
Thursday through Saturday of last week was pure and simple torture for me. I wanted so badly to be outside, enjoying the beautiful weather, and instead I was stuck in stinky diaper land. The mantra around the clinic on busy days is, "Is it five o'clock yet?" So naturally, as I sifted through non-participation letters that needed to be sent, set up for a hemoglobin finger stick, and sent various faxes, all I could think about was "Five O'Clock World" by The Vogues. This is when my boss caught me singing, and she especially appreciated hearing, "while another day goes down the drain."
Last Tuesday, I was working on a project when a song on the TV drew me out of my work trance. It was "Sh-Boom" by the Chords. This has been my "happy song" for the last week. I was in a good mood because of the gorgeous weather and I love oldies anyways, so the cheery song stuck in my head. Over the last week any time I've been in a good mood, I've been singing "Sh-Boom." As I've been working around the house, shopping, walking the dog, etc, I've been singing that song. I realized today though, that until this morning when classes started going well, I haven't been singing the song at work. Hmm...
My personal soundtrack goes with me wherever I am, whatever I'm doing; and not only does it make the mundane moments a little more tolerable, it also provides some humor. Last night, as the dog and I were exercising around the grounds of Martins Creek, I was singing my happy song in my head as we walked around. As we neared the end of the trip, Cooper went from walking beside me to jumping a foot in the air and almost knocking me over. Flies were swarming a smushed toad in the driveway, and they scared him. Because he had startled me, the song left my head and I walked the last two minutes of the loop in silence. How disappointing and boring they were.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
I love a good picnic
Sunday morning, I hemmed and hawed to answer a simple question: Are you going to the picnic tonight? (Don't you love my use of Southern phrases?) I don't mind going to picnics, but I didn't necessarily want to make the haul out to the state park, and I didn't necessarily want to go out and find some food so that I could make an appetizer to take. With a busy week and a Saturday of work coming my way, I knew I really shouldn't go if I didn't have my life in some semblance of order. Finally I gave the best answer I could, "If I can get enough done today, then I'll be there." Long story short, I was there. Simply, I didn't want to pass up the chance for some quality time with friends while having fun and eating lots of yummy, free food.
Seeing as this was a church picnic, the first order of the night was baptisms in the river. Dedicated (ha) readers may remember that I went swimming in a river, only to find myself jumping out when I was told about the resident gator. This would be THAT river. I wasn't the only one thinking about this, as several people standing near me on the bank of the river joked about shouting "gator!" as the people waded into the water. It was a neat experience, a la Round Lake, and I realized I still am slightly shocked when a group of 100 people spontaneously starting singing hymns a capella.
After the baptisms we headed up for food. The line was SO long and SO slow, but it worked in everyone's favor. We stood around and just chatted with friends in line, playfully chided "cutters," and caught up on life in general. I even saw a few faces that I haven't seen in awhile and got to say "hey" to them.
The line was worth the wait. Let me just explain how much better Southern picnic food is than Northern picnic food: Every other dish was macaroni and cheese, there was cornbread and biscuits, huge piles of watermelon, fried chicken (even though I don't eat it, it sure smells good), and the drink table was 50% tea. Not "sweetened" or "unsweetened," just simply "tea." There was some potato salad and some baked beans, but it wasn't as prevalent as I'm used to seeing. The desserts were out of this world too. Delish.
All of this pales in comparison to the social aspect though. It was cool to look out upon the picnic area and take in the sheer volume of attendees. Families were clumped together; eating, laughing, and playing. Kids of all ages were running around in between the clumps, playing everything from tag to soccer. Watching two year-olds "throw" Frisbees® is absolutely hilarious. For my part, I sat in the shade and just chatted with people from my small group. I got to know a few people a little better, and got to enjoy some very good conversation.
The night ended with a few games of "Nuke 'Em." The best way I can describe this is by calling it "fake volleyball." Essentially, you throw the ball over the net, and someone on the other side catches it. If it drops, they're out. This goes on and on until the last man standing wins. While it might not seem like much, there's no small amount of strategy involved; and as the number of your teammates dwindle, you're running like a chicken with it's head cut off.
The party wound down a little quicker than some expected, but it was probably good, considering the amount of mosquitoes flying around and feasting on the attendees. Overall though, it was a beautiful evening, one I look forward to repeating next year. I love a good picnic.
Well, I'm looking forward to another fun night of conversation and laughter, and a few games of "Spanish hangman." If C.J. can't go to Spanish class, we'll bring Spanish class to her!
Seeing as this was a church picnic, the first order of the night was baptisms in the river. Dedicated (ha) readers may remember that I went swimming in a river, only to find myself jumping out when I was told about the resident gator. This would be THAT river. I wasn't the only one thinking about this, as several people standing near me on the bank of the river joked about shouting "gator!" as the people waded into the water. It was a neat experience, a la Round Lake, and I realized I still am slightly shocked when a group of 100 people spontaneously starting singing hymns a capella.
After the baptisms we headed up for food. The line was SO long and SO slow, but it worked in everyone's favor. We stood around and just chatted with friends in line, playfully chided "cutters," and caught up on life in general. I even saw a few faces that I haven't seen in awhile and got to say "hey" to them.
The line was worth the wait. Let me just explain how much better Southern picnic food is than Northern picnic food: Every other dish was macaroni and cheese, there was cornbread and biscuits, huge piles of watermelon, fried chicken (even though I don't eat it, it sure smells good), and the drink table was 50% tea. Not "sweetened" or "unsweetened," just simply "tea." There was some potato salad and some baked beans, but it wasn't as prevalent as I'm used to seeing. The desserts were out of this world too. Delish.
All of this pales in comparison to the social aspect though. It was cool to look out upon the picnic area and take in the sheer volume of attendees. Families were clumped together; eating, laughing, and playing. Kids of all ages were running around in between the clumps, playing everything from tag to soccer. Watching two year-olds "throw" Frisbees® is absolutely hilarious. For my part, I sat in the shade and just chatted with people from my small group. I got to know a few people a little better, and got to enjoy some very good conversation.
The night ended with a few games of "Nuke 'Em." The best way I can describe this is by calling it "fake volleyball." Essentially, you throw the ball over the net, and someone on the other side catches it. If it drops, they're out. This goes on and on until the last man standing wins. While it might not seem like much, there's no small amount of strategy involved; and as the number of your teammates dwindle, you're running like a chicken with it's head cut off.
The party wound down a little quicker than some expected, but it was probably good, considering the amount of mosquitoes flying around and feasting on the attendees. Overall though, it was a beautiful evening, one I look forward to repeating next year. I love a good picnic.
Well, I'm looking forward to another fun night of conversation and laughter, and a few games of "Spanish hangman." If C.J. can't go to Spanish class, we'll bring Spanish class to her!
Monday, September 10, 2012
The Day the Weather Broke
When I woke up this morning, I knew something wonderful had happened. I could sense it, I could feel it. The weather broke.
Back in Ohio, the "weather break" starts in February and carries on little by little through May. Essentially, there is a nice day or two and then you're back to gray skies, snow, and misery for another few weeks. Then, finally, after you were just about to give up hope that it would ever be nice again (Ohio's Third Season: Still Winter), spring would come. It was a build up that seemed to take forever and always left me in a state of frustrated longing for flowers and warm temperatures. Not so here in the Palmetto State.
Granted, I only have two years (only?!) of experience, but I have sensed a pattern here in South Carolina. About the time you're cursing high cooling costs and wondering why on earth people ever chose to live in such a miserably hot and humid climate, one special day comes when the weather completely changes, and you realize once again how nothing could be finer than Carolina. Last year the magical day was September 7, and this year September 10.
Today, I woke up and actually felt like I needed to use my comforter because it was so comfortably chilly in the room. Cooper was curled up in the closet because he no longer appreciates the cool weather. I was actually happy and cheery on our morning walk because the air was still, crisp, and fresh.
My good mood was still present as I walked into work. Usually, I'm making a beeline for the door because it's just downright hot outside, but today I took a semi-leisurely stroll into the clinic. I was still oohing and aahing over the sensation of "cold."
The inside of the office was just as nice. Usually the lack of insulation is a pain- like in the winter when the temperature drops to sixty-something and you're convinced the babies are going to turn into Popsicles; or in the summer when you're convinced everyone is going to melt into little puddles that have eyes. Today, however, the room was a comfortable seventy-four degrees. Perfect for happy clients and happy Kate.
Lunch was amazing. I like to be anti-social and sit in my car at lunch. Actually, I like to sit in my car at lunch so I can get "work" (my freelance stuff) done in peace and occasionally take a nap. I haven't been able to eat in my car since mid-May. But today I was, and I did. I had parked my car in the shade and got to sit back and relax while I enjoyed a few moments of shut-eye while a steady and cool breeze wafted through the car.
Coming home was even better because I got to drive with my windows down. It's actually not all that wonderful, because most of my drive consists of busy, dirty roads. But hey, driving with windows down is so relaxing, and it was wonderful to have that freedom again.
As soon as I got home, every window in my house was opened, because there's not much that makes me happier than my house smelling like fresh air. I sat on my patio and ate dinner while I worked on some more projects. After dinner, I took Cooper for a long walk. I actually had to make myself head back home, because it just felt too nice to NOT be outside.
And now, while I'm not sitting outside (curse you, West Nile-laden mosquitoes), I am right in front of my dining room window, watching my sheer blue curtains sway in the breeze, with the dusk sky as a fitting backdrop. Today, the weather broke, and I am happy again.
Back in Ohio, the "weather break" starts in February and carries on little by little through May. Essentially, there is a nice day or two and then you're back to gray skies, snow, and misery for another few weeks. Then, finally, after you were just about to give up hope that it would ever be nice again (Ohio's Third Season: Still Winter), spring would come. It was a build up that seemed to take forever and always left me in a state of frustrated longing for flowers and warm temperatures. Not so here in the Palmetto State.
Granted, I only have two years (only?!) of experience, but I have sensed a pattern here in South Carolina. About the time you're cursing high cooling costs and wondering why on earth people ever chose to live in such a miserably hot and humid climate, one special day comes when the weather completely changes, and you realize once again how nothing could be finer than Carolina. Last year the magical day was September 7, and this year September 10.
Today, I woke up and actually felt like I needed to use my comforter because it was so comfortably chilly in the room. Cooper was curled up in the closet because he no longer appreciates the cool weather. I was actually happy and cheery on our morning walk because the air was still, crisp, and fresh.
My good mood was still present as I walked into work. Usually, I'm making a beeline for the door because it's just downright hot outside, but today I took a semi-leisurely stroll into the clinic. I was still oohing and aahing over the sensation of "cold."
The inside of the office was just as nice. Usually the lack of insulation is a pain- like in the winter when the temperature drops to sixty-something and you're convinced the babies are going to turn into Popsicles; or in the summer when you're convinced everyone is going to melt into little puddles that have eyes. Today, however, the room was a comfortable seventy-four degrees. Perfect for happy clients and happy Kate.
Lunch was amazing. I like to be anti-social and sit in my car at lunch. Actually, I like to sit in my car at lunch so I can get "work" (my freelance stuff) done in peace and occasionally take a nap. I haven't been able to eat in my car since mid-May. But today I was, and I did. I had parked my car in the shade and got to sit back and relax while I enjoyed a few moments of shut-eye while a steady and cool breeze wafted through the car.
Coming home was even better because I got to drive with my windows down. It's actually not all that wonderful, because most of my drive consists of busy, dirty roads. But hey, driving with windows down is so relaxing, and it was wonderful to have that freedom again.
As soon as I got home, every window in my house was opened, because there's not much that makes me happier than my house smelling like fresh air. I sat on my patio and ate dinner while I worked on some more projects. After dinner, I took Cooper for a long walk. I actually had to make myself head back home, because it just felt too nice to NOT be outside.
And now, while I'm not sitting outside (curse you, West Nile-laden mosquitoes), I am right in front of my dining room window, watching my sheer blue curtains sway in the breeze, with the dusk sky as a fitting backdrop. Today, the weather broke, and I am happy again.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Dark and Stormy Night Walk
I really despise small amounts of water. I like the ocean, but I don't like the marshes. I like Niagara Falls, but I don't like the little misty water vapor that is all over the place. I like to drink water, but I don't like it when there is only a small amount in my cup, say from melting ice, because it's not enough to quench my thirst. Lastly, I like washing my hair in the shower each morning, but I really don't like when rain hits my head.
Last Tuesday night, it was raining like crazy. According to the weather almanac, we got almost two and a half inches of rain. When the weather is nasty like that, I do my best to put off the dog's walk. Even with an umbrella, I just don't like walking in the rain, because at some point rain will fall on my head. But last night it couldn't be helped. He was insistent that he had to go outside NOW! Hearing that the "waterfall" (the overflow from the gutter that hits the cement outside my door) had died down, I thought maybe it wouldn't be raining anymore. As we stepped out the door, I realized we would have no such luck.
I looked around for the umbrella, only to remember it was in the car. I considered digging around for the spare one I keep hidden in my closet, but as the dog pulled me out the door I figured that since it was 9:00 p.m. and I was going to bed soon anyways, it wasn't going to matter. So I grumbled to the dog, "Hurry up, let's go," and trudged out the door.
Five steps out the door, I completely changed my tune. Yes, the raindrops hitting my head were annoying me to no end, but just being outside in the rain was wonderful. The temperature had dropped significantly, there was an ever so slight breeze rustling the leaves, and other than the leaves, it was quiet outside. It felt so nice being outside that I decided just to keep walking. I was happy with my decision.
For the first few minutes of the walk, I tried to pick my way around the standing water. It only took a short while to figure out that there was no way this was going to happen. So, rather than turning back, I just started wading. I would have forgotten about the dog, were it not for the fact that he was actively protesting this part of the walk.
As we made it to the end of the complex, I came across a fellow dog walker. I was clearly enjoying my walk at this point, but I pretended to commiserate with him as he complained about being out with his dog. Rounding back towards the dog run, a mom and her child were chasing their dogs around the run. Dogs who clearly thought it was going to be fun to run in circles while their owners tried to catch them with one hand and hold an umbrella in the other.
The tree frogs were out in full force, trilling like mad. Since Cooper's leash has an LED light at the top, I spent a little time searching for said frogs. They weren't shy when I turned the light on, but they must have been hiding pretty well, because I never did find one.
I stopped to chat with a few neighbors, mainly because they shouted out that I could borrow their umbrella if needed. Explaining what I was doing might not have been the best thing to do, because all six kids sitting on the porch with them started clamoring for the chance to play in the rain. I left before I got the evil eye from the parents.
By now I was almost back to the house. I was contemplating whether or not I should take an extra lap, and just as I decided that the extra exercise would be nice, a thick bolt of lightning shot down from the sky and turned night into day. It was time to go in.
I was drenched from head to toe, but it was worth it. My night was ending on a very peaceful note. I would have called it perfect, were it not for the fact that as I was preparing for bed, the dog who did not enjoy getting soaked on the walk retaliated by crawling up on my bed and soaking the comforter, sheets, and mattress. Oh well. You win some, you lose some.
Last Tuesday night, it was raining like crazy. According to the weather almanac, we got almost two and a half inches of rain. When the weather is nasty like that, I do my best to put off the dog's walk. Even with an umbrella, I just don't like walking in the rain, because at some point rain will fall on my head. But last night it couldn't be helped. He was insistent that he had to go outside NOW! Hearing that the "waterfall" (the overflow from the gutter that hits the cement outside my door) had died down, I thought maybe it wouldn't be raining anymore. As we stepped out the door, I realized we would have no such luck.
I looked around for the umbrella, only to remember it was in the car. I considered digging around for the spare one I keep hidden in my closet, but as the dog pulled me out the door I figured that since it was 9:00 p.m. and I was going to bed soon anyways, it wasn't going to matter. So I grumbled to the dog, "Hurry up, let's go," and trudged out the door.
Five steps out the door, I completely changed my tune. Yes, the raindrops hitting my head were annoying me to no end, but just being outside in the rain was wonderful. The temperature had dropped significantly, there was an ever so slight breeze rustling the leaves, and other than the leaves, it was quiet outside. It felt so nice being outside that I decided just to keep walking. I was happy with my decision.
For the first few minutes of the walk, I tried to pick my way around the standing water. It only took a short while to figure out that there was no way this was going to happen. So, rather than turning back, I just started wading. I would have forgotten about the dog, were it not for the fact that he was actively protesting this part of the walk.
As we made it to the end of the complex, I came across a fellow dog walker. I was clearly enjoying my walk at this point, but I pretended to commiserate with him as he complained about being out with his dog. Rounding back towards the dog run, a mom and her child were chasing their dogs around the run. Dogs who clearly thought it was going to be fun to run in circles while their owners tried to catch them with one hand and hold an umbrella in the other.
The tree frogs were out in full force, trilling like mad. Since Cooper's leash has an LED light at the top, I spent a little time searching for said frogs. They weren't shy when I turned the light on, but they must have been hiding pretty well, because I never did find one.
I stopped to chat with a few neighbors, mainly because they shouted out that I could borrow their umbrella if needed. Explaining what I was doing might not have been the best thing to do, because all six kids sitting on the porch with them started clamoring for the chance to play in the rain. I left before I got the evil eye from the parents.
By now I was almost back to the house. I was contemplating whether or not I should take an extra lap, and just as I decided that the extra exercise would be nice, a thick bolt of lightning shot down from the sky and turned night into day. It was time to go in.
I was drenched from head to toe, but it was worth it. My night was ending on a very peaceful note. I would have called it perfect, were it not for the fact that as I was preparing for bed, the dog who did not enjoy getting soaked on the walk retaliated by crawling up on my bed and soaking the comforter, sheets, and mattress. Oh well. You win some, you lose some.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Once in a blue moon.
"So, Christopher and I are going out in the boat this weekend, gigging fish. I'm so excited- he's been spending weeks getting the boat ready. He set up new lights and everything. Oh, and we have two paddles now." "Oh good, so you fixed the lights so the battery won't die again, and two paddles will make it easier to row back to shore if the battery does die on you?" "Yep! But it won't matter. We're taking his brother too, so if the battery does die, I'll be able to sit back and let the men paddle back. I'll just be sitting there, drinking a beer, watching the waves, and it'll be so pretty with the full moon."
This conversation had taken place with my boss, as I was passing by to call my next client. I stopped dead in my tracks, though, when she uttered that last line. "It's a full moon tonight?" "Not just a full moon, Kate. The second full moon of the month, so it's a blue moon!" <Heavy sigh from me> "That explains so many things about this week."
Now, I don't think I buy into the whole, "a full moon changes your behavior" line of thinking. I guess I just don't like the idea that a rock orbiting millions of miles away takes you from normal functioning human to borderline psychotic maniacs when it shines brighter. That, and in my minimal time spent studying this subject, I have found that almost every study works to disprove this theory. So why buy into it now? After the week I had, I needed someone/thing to blame.
Allow me to elaborate. Just during the last week:
1.) CARES- the computer program that basically runs WIC, died. Across the entire state. You never realize how much you depend on a program until you don't have it. So basically we spent two days to complete one day's worth of work.
2.) To my face, I had a mom and grandmother tell me I was stupid. This was part of a rant against WIC, but still.
3.) I had a child almost pee on me. Twice. Within three minutes.
4.) A trail of ants were discovered in my office by a four year-old. The discovery of ants was bad enough, but the situation was made worse when she took off her sandal, started hitting the wall and screamed, "DIE! I SAID DIE!!"
5.) I was interrupted during a client interview by my co-worker for this reason: "Hey, the police are here. They want to know who called 911."
6.) While I was waiting for some important paperwork for a client to be returned via fax, I checked my e-mail and saw this: "Summerville will be without phone and Internet from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m." I asked the IT guy why he didn't warn us before he sent the e-mail at 11:43 a.m. He just shrugged.
7.) The piece de resistance? My very own "full moon moment." "Kate, why didn't you respond to my e-mail. Now I have to call you." In my best "sounds cheerful but there's clearly murderous undertones" voice, I responded with, "Well, due to massive delays caused by a combination of over scheduling, late arrivals, slow processing, and exceptional cases, I currently have a two hour delay in seeing my clients. So you can see why I wouldn't be checking my e-mail right now. What's so important?" Yeah, this would be the first time I've EVER used this tone with any of my co-workers, let alone one I only talk to once or twice a year.
So for eight miserable hours, I blamed the moon for all my problems and shortcomings. Then I came home, slept for twelve hours, and returned to my normal belief that a large rotating rock does not affect my behavior. So there.
And now we stand at the verge of a new work week. So much happier with this, seeing as how the new week starts on a Tuesday and not a Monday. Ta ta for now!
This conversation had taken place with my boss, as I was passing by to call my next client. I stopped dead in my tracks, though, when she uttered that last line. "It's a full moon tonight?" "Not just a full moon, Kate. The second full moon of the month, so it's a blue moon!" <Heavy sigh from me> "That explains so many things about this week."
Now, I don't think I buy into the whole, "a full moon changes your behavior" line of thinking. I guess I just don't like the idea that a rock orbiting millions of miles away takes you from normal functioning human to borderline psychotic maniacs when it shines brighter. That, and in my minimal time spent studying this subject, I have found that almost every study works to disprove this theory. So why buy into it now? After the week I had, I needed someone/thing to blame.
Allow me to elaborate. Just during the last week:
1.) CARES- the computer program that basically runs WIC, died. Across the entire state. You never realize how much you depend on a program until you don't have it. So basically we spent two days to complete one day's worth of work.
2.) To my face, I had a mom and grandmother tell me I was stupid. This was part of a rant against WIC, but still.
3.) I had a child almost pee on me. Twice. Within three minutes.
4.) A trail of ants were discovered in my office by a four year-old. The discovery of ants was bad enough, but the situation was made worse when she took off her sandal, started hitting the wall and screamed, "DIE! I SAID DIE!!"
5.) I was interrupted during a client interview by my co-worker for this reason: "Hey, the police are here. They want to know who called 911."
6.) While I was waiting for some important paperwork for a client to be returned via fax, I checked my e-mail and saw this: "Summerville will be without phone and Internet from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m." I asked the IT guy why he didn't warn us before he sent the e-mail at 11:43 a.m. He just shrugged.
7.) The piece de resistance? My very own "full moon moment." "Kate, why didn't you respond to my e-mail. Now I have to call you." In my best "sounds cheerful but there's clearly murderous undertones" voice, I responded with, "Well, due to massive delays caused by a combination of over scheduling, late arrivals, slow processing, and exceptional cases, I currently have a two hour delay in seeing my clients. So you can see why I wouldn't be checking my e-mail right now. What's so important?" Yeah, this would be the first time I've EVER used this tone with any of my co-workers, let alone one I only talk to once or twice a year.
So for eight miserable hours, I blamed the moon for all my problems and shortcomings. Then I came home, slept for twelve hours, and returned to my normal belief that a large rotating rock does not affect my behavior. So there.
And now we stand at the verge of a new work week. So much happier with this, seeing as how the new week starts on a Tuesday and not a Monday. Ta ta for now!
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