desk

I started work early today. 6:00 in the morning to be exact. I left for a couple of hours for a Christamore House Guild board meeting and general meeting.

Today had all of the elements of a fun workday for me. Plumbers*, computer repairs, paperwork, staff issues and general mayhem.

As you can see, I had two computers going at once. My PC was switched to the server, so I sent myself the documents I need to work on and used my laptop.

I really do enjoy days like this.

I just need to figure out how to do it in less than 16 hours.

*I don't know why I can intelligently discuss the need for a new pump on the main water line, but get all giggly when discussing the urinal. The urinal would not quit flushing and I could not figure it out - even though I'd downloaded diagrams and instructions from the Internet. Today's tip: don't Google "urinal won't quit flushing."

snacks

I try to do business at locally owned places as much as possible. I also like to support places that are in not-so-great neighborhoods. I appreciate that they are there. There is a drug store on the way home that I frequent for my antihistamine and diet Pepsi needs. 

More evenings than I like to admit I stopped for a People Magazine, chips and a candy bar on the way home. No wonder I gained so much freaking weight. 

I stopped this evening for diet Pepsi and spent way too much time loitering the snack aisle talking myself out of chips and candy. Damn diet. 

broad ripple village

I worked at Marigold today. I only work there one Sunday a month, but its usually after a Saturday night Red Key shift. If all goes well on Red Key nights I can be showered and in bed by 3:00 and I have to be at Marigold by noon. As you might guess I'm a usually a little grumbly and tired on my way to work.

This morning I goofed around so much that I didn't have time to stop at Northside News for coffee. Once I get to work I'm fine and happy to be in Broad Ripple. I always enjoy working at Marigold once I get there. The customers are great and my shift always feels like one big shopping day. My biggest challenge is not spending too much money on clothes.

Most Sundays I'm scrambling to write my Gazette column, but for the first time ever - I'd turned it in early. I was free as a bird!

I caught up with Big Hat Books Liz after the store closed for the day. We were walking down the street discussing where to grab a beer, when I spied Mark on the patio of The Corner Wine Bar. Decision made.

I left my beer decision up to Mark, who is the beer expert. He started us out with the very fun Coney Island Freaktoberfest. It pours red- cool stuff.

Liz and I had a delicious dinner and worked on solving our problems. We talked a lot about community. I love being involved in our neighborhood and the community. I've also been struggling with my need to always do the right thing and my need to have people like me. The good news about all of that is that I don't ever have to worry about ducking behind potted plants to avoid anyone. The bad news about all of that is that it's not always fun.

farmers market

One of the music booking things I have not let go of over the years is scheduling the musicians for the Broad Ripple Farmers Market. This Saturday featured Gary Wasson and Cara Jean Wahlers. And it was Cara's birthday - happy birthday girlie! 

I have not gotten to the market as much as I wanted to this summer. This morning I plopped myself down and listened to the great music. 

The BRFM has really grown over the few years....whoa!....I just did the math in my head.....almost decades. I got to help out in the first year of the market when it was held in the Broad Ripple Brew Pub parking lot. It then moved to the Art Center parking lot and has found a home behind Broad Ripple High School for the last couple of years. 

Hanging out at the market reminds me of what a great neighborhood I live in. I love running in to friends and catching up on the neighborhood news. 

This weeks purchases: beets, sweet potatoes, whole wheat English muffins, sweet corn and an Amish made chicken pot pie. 

Good stuff, good stuff. 

woooo hoooo!

Graduation days at Second Helpings are always special, but sometimes I bond with a class more than others. Class 51 was one of those classes. 

I always love seeing how the students change over the course of the ten weeks. They have a chance to stretch their skills and self confidence during the class and it sure is fun to watch. 

If you look closely at this photograph you'll see a police officer wiping a tear from his eye. One of the graduates was thanking the officer for believing in them and not giving up. 

If I'm frustrated or angry I let out a big "wooooo hoooo" - think Homer Simpson. I've done it for years in restaurant kitchens. It is a good stress reliever and much better than a blurting out a cuss word. During the line cooking exercise there were a lot of good natured woooo hoooos flying around the kitchen. 

Each of the students gave a great graduation talk, with several of them thanking Miss Wooooo Hoooo. 

I was the teary one standing against the wall. 

prepared

When I took this photograph of the lovely table that Mom created for a fundraiser, I wrote a totally different post in my head. Twenty-six woman decorated tables and invited friends and family for high tea. My post was going to be about how proud I am to be my mother's daughter, about how creative and generous she is, about how happy I was to be doing something fancy with Ann Herr Mitchell (and how fabulous we're looking, if I do say so myself) and how much fun my sister Beth is to hang out with. 

Instead, we're going talk about how I earned my Miss Safety First sash. 

I'm a cautious person, whether I like to admit it or not. I like to think I live on the edge, but I really don't. Not at all. 

I always wore my seatbelt, even before it was a law. I always have jumper cables, a coat and an emergency $20 in the truck. I always use my turn signals, even in my own driveway.

I had renters insurance in college, no matter how poor I was at the time. I have an extra umbrella policy now that covers anything my regular insurance might not.

You can find safety pins, double sided tape and BandAids in my wallet. I can fix almost any wardrobe malfunction or minor injury.

I have a coaster bike, can't go too fast or get tangled up in gears on old Blue.

Stick close to me if there is a fire or other disaster. I've already scoped out the exits and fire extinguishers and I'm not afraid to throw you over my shoulder.

Heart attack? Stand next to me, baby. I know CPR and I'm not afraid to use it - and have. Bleeding, ditto - I'll have you laughing as I'm holding your arm above your heart, applying pressure and wrapping that severed finger in plastic wrap and putting it on ice before you know it.

I got a chance to use my fire extinguishing skills at the tea. The table next to us was decorated with glass balls, crystal flutes, netting, candles and sliver grassy stuff. When the tea was over one of the women blew on a candle. The flame caught the grassy stuff on fire. As I was headed to the table with a water pitcher another woman blew on the fire, which spread the fire further around the table and spread to the netting. The same woman was waving her arms and spreading the fire even more. I calmly held her wrist down and followed the fire around the table with the water pitcher. 

My work there was done. 

union break

Remember last October? When I blogged about a number each day? 

I decided to do something similar this October to get back in the habit of posting every day. I tossed several ideas around my head. ABCs? I was a little cranky when I was thinking about that idea and was coming up with A is for Asshat, B is for Broke, C is for Crabby, D is for Disappointed...you get the idea - I scrapped that thought. I though about asking for suggestions from you all, but I didn't get that done - P is for procrastinate. 

I decided to rip off the great blogger, Arnie for October, at least. My goal is to post one (and only one!) photograph --- from that day, and write about it. I can't believe how hard it is. 

So, with out further ado....

Dad volunteers at Second Helpings on Wednesdays. I love it because I get a little Dad time and we get to see each other out of our usual father/daughter roles. I've really enjoyed seeing Dad make new friends. The things that make me roll my daughter eyes other people find charming. He is a great volunteer and everyone loves it when he's there. 

Around 9:30 Dad and his buddies take a "union break." I always try to make sure I have a diet Pepsi ready for him. Dad is known for foraging for a box of cookies or other sweets from the dock. 

I love it when I can join them. There are always stories (some taller than others) and current events. Dad and I hash out plans for any events and discuss family news. As much as possible I try to be around for the union break - it is one of my favorite times of the week.