Random Thoughts or My Mind is Totally Filled with Mess that Needs to be Unloaded

Hi everyone!  Sheesh, been a while since the old blog's been updated but life's been sort of busy.

THE JOB

I got a new job and started on August 31, 2012.  It's with a different division and it's a data manager position with the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program or better known as BCCEDP.  My first day there was training on weekly reports that weren't too hard to understand but that's thanks to the written instructions from the previous data manager.  Thank you!  So I looked on as the person who had been running it after the other data manager left did her thing and yesterday I did it with her by my side.  Next week I do it by myself.  Honestly, it isn't difficult to read the instructions and do as they say.  We do that with recipes, right?   Right?  

Monday was Labor Day so I had a nice 3-day weekend before really learning about the job.  Tuesday through Thursday brought more training and more acronyms.  In HIV/AIDS, where I come from, there were acronyms but NOTHING like here.  I kept asking, what does CHW mean (case health worker, I think), or CBE mean (clinical breast examination), or this means...well, you get it.  But my new work peeps are very patient and really want to help me learn.  I thought acronyms might be the death of me but MEETINGS!  Dear Lord, they have meetings out of the wazoo.  There were 7 meetings I attended in 2 days....SEVEN!  Holy cow, Batman.  But I did learn and glad I went...but still SEVEN?!

My new work peeps are very nice.  I really like my new supervisor and all who I work with.  There is one woman who is very hippie-ish and she even admits it.  She grew up in the 60s so that should tell you something.  One of the girls who trained me earlier in the week is such a sweetheart.  She loves to do photography and does very good work.  I see something on the horizon for her that might not be working with the State.  :)  

Okay, I'm dragging on...so I guess you can say that I have been overwhelmed with acronyms and meetings and like my new job so far.  There is still so much to learn but there shouldn't be a problem with that.  Well, I hope it won't.  

RAMBLINGS

Food Photography:  Remember a few posts back I was bitching about food photography on Facebook?  It never stops!  I can't understand how people think that posting a picture of a half-eaten plate of food is appetizing.  NO!!!!  STOP!!!  Most of these pictures are so up close that the food looks like they're half-chewed.  STOP!!! 

Political Statements:  Lots of political statements on Facebook because of the upcoming presidential election.  Most of my friends are complaining about them but I just hide the statements or block the person until election time is over.  However, there are quite a few cartoons out there stating this so people..QUIT POSTING POLITICAL STATEMENTS!  Yeah, I know, first amendment, blah blah blah, but 99.9% of your friends give a rat's ass about your political views.  So just stop.  Oh wait, let me give you my view:  I am voting for the man I believe will run the country most effectively and make the nation prosper.  That's my view and I'm sticking with it.

Political Phone Calls and Such:  How many of you are receiving calls from Mitt Romney's or Obama's campaigns?  I am and I wish they would quit.  Or surveys?  I'm getting calls about surveys.  I don't want to complete your survey now or ever.  Leave me alone!  STOP!

Heh, sounds like I'm just a bitchy woman, which I am.  What are your ramblings for the day?

Until next time...

Linda

Happy Birthday to Me

As I look at the little girl to the left I see someone who isn't going to get everything in life but is very lucky just the same.  She would grow up to have a lot of friends but just a handful who she considers close.  She would grow up to have a job which has nothing to do with what she studied in college but is more-or-less happy.  And she really wishes her mom and dad were with her today as she celebrates another birthday.

That little girl in the picture is me, taken on March 6, 1961 when I was 6 1/2 months old.  I had some really big ears but I did grow into them, I think, and I had that cross-eyed look, which I'm not.  Think the photographer must have been real close to me when he took it so my eyes had that crossed appearance.  Whatever, I think I was kind of a cute baby.  ;)

Today is my birthday.  Last night while on the computer I took a hard look at this picture and thought of the above but what I was really thinking of is that I miss my parents not being here to help celebrate.  Their lives came to an end in 1990 for my mother and 2010 for my father.  I sort of feel gypped that they are not here because they are the ones who gave me life and I am sure that those who have lost their parents feel the same way.  Your birthdays just aren't the same.

I remember, growing up, waking up on my birthday and the first thing that I said in my mind with a smile on my face was "happy birthday.  Hadn't done that in years until this morning.  I woke up and gave myself a happy birthday greeting and actually feel in a good mood.  Oh, the coffee is excellent this morning so that is helping make this day even better.  

There are good memories of celebrating my birthdays while growing up.  I really don't remember ever having parties but I do remember that my parents would let my brothers  and me choose the restaurant we'd eat at to celebrate.  That was awesome because it could be any place from McDonald's to Joe's Spaghetti House which served the best steaks in Tallahassee at the time.  Mama would bake us a cake with the candles on top and we'd make our wishes hoping they would come true.  You know how kids are, we'd wish for that special bike or a new football or new doll.  I don't remember what I wished for but I'm sure it was for material things.  Today I only wish for a healthy year so I can see another birthday.

We all need to remember that even though our dreams may not come true year-to-year or we can't have everything we really want on our birthdays or any day, we need to appreciate what we do have.  I live with someone who cares about me even though he really doesn't show it to anyone but me, three wonderful pups (happy birthday, Renegade!), a new job to look forward to starting in 12 days, a house that I love living in, and friends who love me, too.  I am truly blessed.  We all are.  Take a minute to count your blessings and see how rich your life is.  

Until next time.....

Linda