Baby Lucy

Erin sent me a couple of pictures today of Lucy via telephone. Isn't technology a wonderful thing? First Erin sent a text message that said:

I think Lu's going to be a giant. She's wearing 3 month clothing and none of the others ever wore bigger sizes than their age.

Isn't she adorable?

Writing

Most of you know that I have a new obsession. It's writing, and I'm having the time of my life. I heard back from one a member of my critique groups, who read my first book. She said she hasn't cried so much since the 7th Harry Potter book. I guess I must be doing okay getting the emotions down then.

I've been focusing a lot of my time and attention on writing because I'm really trying to get this thing done--I'm such an SJ on the Kiersey personality sorter. I'm going a little crazy since I have two half finished manuscripts and now I've got ideas for two YA works, one contemporary and one fantasy. There just aren't enough hours in the day.

As for the family close to home, Paul and Kelsey are still house hunting in the area. No where yet. Their limitation is their two dogs, which are like kids to them. Robert, Michelle, and little Davey are living with her folks in West Jordan. Robert doesn't like his new job, but he's hanging in there. Perhaps something else in the field will open up for him or he'll figure out a major for college. Adam's doing well with his college courses. He's got all A's this semester. That's always good for the GPA.

I'll have to schedule my time to get in a little shopping, since I need another pair of shoes (it rains in Ireland, did you know that?), a windbreaker, and a couple more pairs of jeans.

At work, we're finally about settled in. I'll have to post some pictures. Right now, there's snow coming down outside my window. The offices are too warm because the energy upgrade is still being installed. We either freeze or fry.

Moving

 

We've been "moving" at work for months now. Kinda. The lease is up for the attorneys later this year, and the city has to either fork over a huge amount of money to rent the dismal basement space or find a new home. The cost savings in conjunction with a federal grant to improve the lighting, heating, and cooling in the old building made it possible to remodel the multipurpose room for us, so the attorneys can have our offices. 

Why didn't they just remodel the multipurpose room for the attorneys and leave us alone? Um...there's more of them. And some of them pack weapons.

I'm so getting a Glock for sure now.

But it was even more complicated than being ousted from our offices. After we got the area designed (we are being combined with another division in our department), we found out another group would need to use our space (and our new office furniture) first, while their ceiling and heating ducts were being taken care of.

It only makes sense. Who can work while people are doing stuff to your ceiling? (the two ladies in the other division had to, but that's neither here nor there) Once the first group got done using our space the PTBs realized another department needed to move so they could continue their operations, while the construction was going on. They have a lot of foot traffic.

Another situation that made sense. While we've been feeling bad about having to wait while other people got to use our new stuff, we almost forgot about the poor attorneys and their staff who are still waiting for us to get out so they can move over. They'll have windows now. It's a heady feeling. I've got a lovely view from my new window. Fourteen years I'ved worked for the city, and this is the first time 'Ive had a real window view. And what a view.

We've been moving the last two days, and my feet hurt. They were throbbing earlier. Of course that could relate to the same problem that makes my jeans so tight right now. But I won't go there. We'll have to wear jeans again on Monday to finish up the last little bit of moving we need to do before the painters paint over us. 

Jeans on a Monday. That's a silver lining.

Ireland

My dear friend, Arlene, has a hubby, who is a medical engineer. Sometimes his company sends him to Ireland. Arlene invited me to accompany her this time, so we're leaving on March 31st and will return on April 11th. My maternal grandfather's people are from Ireland, so I'm really excited!

Tribute

My father died yesterday. Click here to read my tribute to this wonderful man.