I am feeling a little behind. I didn't clean at all this weekend. Haven't started the taxes. Didn't even blog yesterday. Haven't been able to keep up with the record-keeping I was trying to do for health and fitness. There might even be bills I should have paid. I'm tired. I think I've been working too much, which is kind of funny. Most people work a lot more than me, but I worked almost full time this last pay period (78.5 hours instead of 88). Some days I have been working 7 1/2 hours without a break. This is not good. Fortunately, the work is not very stressful, and I should be able to cut back a little. Since I get paid by the hour, the more I work, the more money I have to spend, so that's good.

Yesterday morning I was looking for good fares to the Northeast for next month's vacation. I wasn't really happy with what I found. I am kind of not enamored of flying. We have to get to Atlanta, deal with the airport, fly to NY, then figure out how to get to Cape Cod. Then reverse it all. I thought the train might be less of a rat race. The closest Amtrak station is Gainesville, Georgia--about as far as Atlanta, but a little easier to navigate. The once-a-day train leaves at 9:30 at night (if it's on time). We would get to NY at 2 the next afternoon. I am thinking I would not be refreshed by a night in the train. Coming back we would arrive at 7 am. Ray pointed out that we would have less time to spend with Amelia than if we just flew. So I guess we will. It just makes me stressed to even think about it. And I want to say, "you plan it then...find the cheapest and best flights and make all the arrangements." Sigh. I would probably not be happy with his choices.

Walked the dogs, even though it was cold and windy. It was almost light though, so that is a little exciting. I know I should be appreciative that we are not in the frozen snowy North with no power. But this is a lot of crazy cold weather for Athens. I honestly built too many windows if we are going to have this much cold weather. And the men did not cut enough firewood. We are burning green wood now and it is difficult. The heat is on all the time. My parents are cold being home most of the day.

Meredith spent the morning at Job TREC. A lot of people were upset when they were told they have already had their bus passes for the month. Some got them on Tuesday and were back for more on Wednesday. Since the computer records are now being updated on the spot, the case worker was able to tell them, "no, you got them yesterday." Then they said it was cold so they had given them to others. Anyway, things are changing and it will be better, but the transition will be difficult. Also, Meredith was pretty horrified by the building they are working out of. The ceiling is falling down in one place and it sends a message  to clients that they don't deserve better.

It was payroll and that went well, except that I forgot not to take out for insurance, since we do not have insurance any more. So, I'll have to write a check for the money I took out. There was a board meeting last night. I don't know yet how it went, but Meredith was nervous about it. Mary K. wanted to know if I was coming. To me, this is odd. Why would I be going to a board meeting? The assistant director would not normally go to a board meeting. And why wait to ask me until the morning of  the meeting? She said they wanted to thank me for my hard work. I said, "this is Meredith's show now; maybe some other time." About an hour later, a huge and beautiful flower arrangement arrived. I was really surprised when they said it was for me. I said, "it's certainly not from my husband...and I'm pretty sure I don't have any secret lovers." It was from the board. Of course, I had to fight my inclination to think about how much it cost and the working conditions of the people who grew them and how far they had travelled. They are really pretty: sunflowers, roses, tulips, azalea, forsythia... Most of the afternoon, I worked on clearing out old files.

At 3:30, I picked Ray up and we came home. He made some mac and cheese for potluck, even though he was going to a Darwin Day lecture. All week, there are speakers and activities. He has been busy, but enjoying it. Captain and Vanessa went out to dinner, dropping him off at the university first. I managed to be late for potluck, even though the food was ready. And I had called a meeting of the nominating committee for 6:30. Gobbled some food and had a good meeting, all in less than 30 minutes. Choir rehearsal, then to pick up Ray on campus. I was falling asleep on the way home (Ray was driving). We have a Mitusbishi Galant rental car while the Prius is in the body shop. It is bigger and faster than our car, which is kind of fun, but it makes me nervous. I am worrying about having an accident all the time now.