Last day of May

Am I glad today is the last day of May - this has been a month of craziness, frustration, and fun. I haven't written here for a couple of weeks, and even then, they were very short posts. I have thought about writing, but just haven't had the time or energy to do so.

May had Jaycees craziness going on - including Texas Hold 'Em, MIJC convention at Boyne, meetings, East Lansing Art Festival, float building and a parade, rafting in West Virginia...and lots more. All this while I was trying to pack my apartment up in order to move this weekend. Guess who wasn't as prepared as she had hoped she was to move?

Dakota had a mass removed from her hind leg on the 14th - she's doing well, but she hated having the cone around her neck. We found out the growth was a cancerous one, but benign, and they're pretty sure they removed it all. She's back to her normal self now that the stitches are out and the cone is gone.

There were some fun times this month, but for the most part, I had a rough go of it. I've been having a hard time being confident about myself in many aspects. Work hasn't been what it used to be, but I'm not sure if it's my attitude, or if something has changed. I also know that I have to be looking for a new job too - I think that makes it difficult.

Here's to June having some more down time, more fun times, and lots of sleep!

Here I am!

It's been awhile since I posted. I'm not posting much right at the moment, but hopefully will get back into the swing of things soon.

However, I wanted to post my link for my Relay for Life team - and ask for donations! So, if you're feeling up to it, click on the link and help me raise money for the American Cancer Society!

Finished!

I meant to post this yesterday, but then I got sidetracked and WENT TO BED EARLY!!!

I wish that meant that I was feeling very rested, but with the rain, it's just making me want to go home and curl up with the book I started last night - The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

But, I digress - this post is about me finally finishing Why GM Matters! Here's my review that I posted on Facebook and GoodReads...

In usual cases, a book like this would probably bore me. However, having grown up in Michigan, with a father that worked for auto suppliers his whole life, I found this book to be interesting, from the history about GM, to the evolution of the new Camaro and the Chevy Volt, to where does GM go from here?

My feeling is if the media reported the things that GM was doing right, instead of focusing on everything that was wrong, then maybe people would have a little more sympathy for the company. And maybe it's not even a matter of sympathy for the company, but at least realizing how many businesses would start to have trouble if GM went bankrupt. GM is the #1 private company to purchase IT items...what happens to the IT industry if GM goes under? What happens to the cafes, barber shops, stores, and other businesses around GM plants if they disappear?

GM did things their way for a long time, because the market didn't force them to change. At this point, they are being forced to change by outside companies, consumers, and a global marketplace. However, with a culture like theirs, it's not easy to change opinions within the company, and it has taken some time. But, it's happening.

Anyone who wants more of an understanding about the company, and what they are doing to move into the future, should read this book.

Melancholy

I'm not sure if it's been that I've been pretty low key this week, and taking some time for myself, or just decompressing from work, but it's been one of those blah weeks. I haven't been feeling 100% and have been feeling like I'm just not doing enough in life.

Usually, I don't let things going on in the nation/world get me down too much, but I've been fairly down about what's going on with the economy and the lives of others. I wish I could do more to help people. I wish I could buy a new car to help the automobile companies. I wish I could give people jobs. Things haven't necessarily been easy for me, but I have a job.

I think part of it is the book I've been reading also. Why GM Matters by William J. Holstein. It's been kind of an eye opening book, and just reminds me that despite the best laid plans, not everything will always work out the way you want it to. And while you can really want to move forward quickly, it isn't always in the best interest of your organization or company. When changing attitudes, you have to do it at a pace where the organization or company won't fall apart.

With those words of wisdom, I am off to read more about the transformation of GM, and hope that it can work for the sake of the families that rely on these companies for income and their livelihood.

Home?

This is the third night in a row that I've gotten to come home after work and just hang out here. It's been really nice to have the chance to do it.

On Monday night, I was just feeling super hyper, and started to pack up things in my apartment for the move at the end of May. It's felt kind of weird, packing already, but then I looked at my calendar, and I have something going EVERY weekend until I can move into my new place! So, I decided that I need to start packing all the stuff I'm taking, and throwing out the stuff I don't want! And boy, there's a lot of it.

Last night, I ended up really not doing anything. I putzed around online, and just plain didn't do anything. I had wanted to read, but time just got away from me. I kept looking at the piles of books on my floor that need to find a box, but that's about as far as I got.

When I've been home, I've actually changed my 7-8pm TV viewing habits. I only have a few stations - NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, PBS. I used to keep Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! on from that time period, but I switched over to Family Guy. I forgot how much I love the show! It cracks me up and makes me feel better at the end of the day. It's been a nice change of pace.

Luckily, there's only two more days left in the work week, then it's the weekend!

Sunday

As I sit in my living room on a rainy Sunday, I'm trying to let go of this past week, while also preparing for next week. Things are going to start getting very crazy at work this week, but I'm still feeling the effects of a short week last week and all the things I had to fit into it.

So far today, I slept in (really late!), got up, went to the library and Target, and now I'm home for the day. I think the rest of the day will include reading and watching a movie, with a little cleaning! Granted, I'm really feeling like taking a nap.

I definitely no problem being a slug today. How do you spend lazy days?

Mmm mm, chicken and waffles!

That's right - that's a waffle, with chicken on it, with cabbage in between. I love Mia & Grace.

Not convinced yet? Well then, check out the white chocolate blueberry cheesecake...

Wow.

I forgot how much I missed this place! So I went back the next day and got a piece of carrot cake. I'm trying to only eat small pieces of it, but it's almost gone...and it was fabulous!

I'm not sure if this week felt a lot busier because it's been a short one for me at work, but I've been very busy since Tuesday. I had a nice few days off, and I was sad to get back to the real world. However, this weekend, Sunday is my free day - my plan is to stay home all day...

I have lots to do at home - starting to pack for the move, books to read, movies to watch, naps to take... Here's to wishing it was Sunday!