This past week was a “back from vacation” week so I was expecting the usual craziness trying to catch up and get going again.  However, this week I’ve been all out of sorts. 

First I have spent all week trying to get our first digital collection up and running.  It seemed that every step I took forward brought with it new problems.  I’d get one thing working only to find that the very next thing wasn’t and then I’d spend an hour or so trying to figure it out.  I have managed to get the collection up but at the expense of my use of the administration panel that allows me to change most server, collection and item settings.  So this is my problem to figure out next week… why won’t it let me in now????

I also have done two very stupid things this week.  And at the risk of getting a little too personal, I’m going to tell you anyway, because its just sooooooo stupid.  So Tuesday I get up and go to work… I make a visit to the ladies’ room mid-morning where I come to find that I have put my underwear on inside out… okay so you probably really didn’t need to know that, but just how stupid am I????

I will quickly change the subject and tell you stupid thing #2 I have done this week.  A friend of mine was over at my house on Wednesday and sat in my back bedroom to watch as I fed the new cat and kittens that have decided to live in my backyard.  My computer is also in the back bedroom.  So later that night after my friend left, I went to the room to check email.  I didn’t turn the light on because I know this room and where everything is in it (or I thought I did).  As I reached to turn the monitor on I went to sit down at the same time… BAM!! I ended up on the floor.  My friend had moved the chair across the room and had not moved it back… there I lay in the dark on the floor thinking to myself “What just happened???”  I laid there for a minute or so and just laughed at myself, then dazed and confused got up and went to turn on the light.  Note to self: always be sure a chair is actually there before I sit down…

Okay so back to the cats… I have some news to report – I have made contact.  I was able to pet one of the kittens while it ate tonight.  It was brief but a step in the right direction.  Mama cat is still quite hesitant of me and the other kitten is warming up to me like its sibling.  Anyway, just thought I would relay information.  I’ll keep you posted.

And as my last thing tonight, I know you’ve been anxiously awaiting this…drumroll…. more stress relievers (my comments in italics):

1. Look up at the stars – actually this does help, I do this quite a lot
2. Practice breathing slowly – hummm, hummm, hummm
3. Learn to whistle a tune – this would be impossible for my mother, she can’t whistle
4. Listen to a symphony – depends on the symphony
5. Watch a ballet – I’d rather watch grass grow
6. Read a story curled up in bed – I’m a librarian that doesn’t like to read
7. Do a brand new thing – I love trying new things
8. Stop a bad habit – like tardiness???  aw shucks
9. Buy yourself a flower – not in this economy… little luxuries can be spared
10. Take time to smell a flower – and then sneeze from the amount of pollen that has built up on the petals…

You are half way through… bare with me… until next time, lets hope I don’t do any more stupid things.

Today I returned to work after having a week of relaxation, cleaning out, and cat watching.  I spent the whole morning catching up on phone calls, emails, meetings with the boss, and then I managed to get through my weekly tasks.  It was a long day and I have to do it all again tomorrow.  Oh well, I am grateful I have a job that I can complain about unlike the many in this country who are unemployed.  (See, taking from yesterday’s stress relievers to look for the silver lining – ha ha).  Honestly, I don’t have to complain too much because I really love my job – it just is never easy to go back on a Monday after a vacation… no matter how great the job is.

Okay so set #4 of stress relievers (my comments in italics):

1. Be aware of the decisions you make – because you can make decisions when you are unaware???  I suppose you can depending on how much alcohol you’ve consumed…
2. Believe in yourself – and God, because you aren’t going to be enough on your own to make it through this life
3. Stop saying negative things to yourself – unless you are happy being miserable
4. Visualize yourself winning – I can see it, I can, I really can…
5. Develop your sense of humor – or at least a sense of sarcasm
6. Stop thinking tomorrow will be a better day – exactly, because you may not have tomorrow
7. Have goals for yourself – and then set out to achieve them… its not enough just to simply have goals
8. Dance a jig – a jig?????????????  okay…. NO
9. Say hello to a stranger – and then get mugged
10. Ask a friend for a hug – I rarely hug anyone… it stresses me out…

I know you just can’t wait to read the next 10, right???  On the edge of your seat, I know it…