Once again I suck at sleeping. Warm last night, couldn't fall asleep. Woke up at midnight, couldn't go back to sleep. Got up and started packing, read some, eventually fell asleep. Cold when I woke up.  Achy.  Only four days till we leave for France! I hope I can be sane. Today is the day to get everything done at work--and maybe do some more shopping. I need to get something for my mother for Mother's Day. She ordered herself shoes, shorts, shirts from L.L. Bean (or Lands End). I went to Masada Leather downtown, ostensibly to look for something for her (and also maybe purses for me). I ended up with two more pair of shoes--one sneakers, one kind of water shoe/sandally things for the boat. I tried on some TopSiders too, a sort of dressier boat shoes, but decided I would end up wearing the more comfortable ones most of the time, even though they are pretty ugly. I looked at purses; I wanted to buy a lightweight small waterproof one, or maybe a fanny pack, but Ray talked me out of it. They also had a waterproof tote bag with a sleeve for a laptop, but he said the boat bag is what we always use. They did have some nice leather purses that will probably work for my everyday purse, but I decided I didn't want to take them on the boat trip, so I will look again when I come back.

Yesterday morning I went to a training with Meredith and Nora and 40 other people about Program Evaluation--a good topic and a good presenter, a social work professor who is new since I graduated (I guess almost all of them are), Michelle. But nothing really new and inspiring. I had trouble sitting still for two hours, even with a break. I left early, at 11:15, to meet Becky and Janna for lunch at the Continuing Education Center. I was 5 minutes late, but they were about 30 minutes late. I should have stayed at the training. I went ahead and ordered and it was a good thing, because I was still there over an hour. It was a good l lunch though and I enjoyed seeing them. Mark and Lara are both graduating this weekend and we all had a lot to say.

When I got back to work, I was trying to get things done, but Danny called and the new computers are here. So he brought them over and was setting mine up--so I left a little early and went down to Masada, where Ray met me and I bought my shoes. We went home about 4 and there were chickens! Becky, Manita's daughter, had lent us 4 black pullets for our chicken tractor. Captain and I were excited, and Ray was even interested enough to go right out and look at them. Vanessa did not seem the least bit intrigued. It was very hot, so I didn't spend much time outside. Even Captain had stayed in mostly. It hit 90 in town.

Trevor, the shrimp man, called, and I went with the Captain to meet him at a gas station and pick up our shrimp, which was good, because there wasn't much for supper otherwise. He had gone to North Carolina for the shrimp, instead of his usual place, Louisiana (because of the oil spill). They were, as usual, wonderful looking--about 9 lbs for $60. I was trying to figure what he must pay for them to make it worth driving there and delivering them all over to make any money. He is on disability and his son helps him at this end with the deliveries.

Ray had to go out to the Democratic Committee, so he didn't get back til after 7. Vanessa did a lot of the work on supper, while the Captain packed the shrimp in 1 lb bags for freezing. We also gave the chickens some more water. They peep almost constantly in a kind of pleasant, low-key way. I picked the asparagus that was ready; we will save it for tomorrow and add some more. Only a few more strawberries today too. Then we had mojitos while I finished up supper and we waited for Ray.

After supper. some TV and knitting--the second leg on the cat hoodie. Taylor will probably show up for it today. I read some when we went to bed, a new light romance/mystery. But Ray got up just when I was falling asleep...and you know the rest.

Bonjour! I hope I am not getting sick. I am having weird dreams and feel a little odd--congestion, achy...

Yesterday, after I got up so early, I was at the computer for about 45 minutes, and I could not keep my head up or my eyes open. I went back to bed and slept for 2 hours! That is so unusual. I got up, showered and dressed, and Ray made my breakfast and lunch. I was hoping to be on time, but as I went past the school, I saw the policeman who is there every morning with his radar gun and I realized I was speeding. He came after me and gave me a ticket. "Can you tell me why you were going 54 in a 40 mile an hour school zone?" What a dumb question! Because I am a lawbreaker...? Because I was still half asleep? I told him I was later than usual and thought the time was past. "Did you see the flashing yellow lights?" he asked... Needless to say, I was even later. I don't know how much it will cost yet, but school zone tickets are higher, I believe. I have been by him a million times and always slow down, but not yesterday. I vowed to go a different way from now on. If you live near a school, and have to go by every morning, sooner or later, you will probably get caught speeding! So, when you are thinking about buying a house, buy one that is not near a school!

Even so, I was the first one to work and had to relieve the night staff. Nora and Shawn came in right after me. Meredith is starting to come in a little later, 9-5, so she can interact with the night staff more. I started working on the lists of donors and volunteers for the newsletter. I was a little discouraged because we don't have as good records as I would like, but hopeful that will change in a couple weeks, when our new Volunteer Coordinator starts. The printer/copy machine died and I called to have someone come fix it. I went to Lowe's to return a toilet repair part and get another wax seal. I went to the bank.

I went home. It was too hot to work outside. We brought the suitcases up from the basement. We seem to only have the big one, and the handle is broken. But I think we can manage without buying more.

I have not gotten any response from the cleaning lady this week--she likes texting, but has not responded to that. Yesterday I called her and she hasn't called me back yet. I hope she is not seriously ill or something.

Potluck, choir, TV, early bed.

Maybe it's the moon, but I woke up at 4:45 and feel very excited. I was having a dream involving some product that I was in charge of a new unit for. We had 3 milion dollard sand a lot of freedom. We were recruiting staff and figuring out logistics. The idea was to launch a whole new appraoach--sort of an uber-advertising campaign. Any7way, It all seems pretty vague now, except for the feeling of excitement.

Did I tell you about our new mail system? Meredith has set up the office using Google. We all have new email addresses (mine is pfreemanlynde@helpathenshomeless.org) and use a shared calendar and documents. I have not been able to export my contacts from Outlook in CSV format, so am still using both for now. So I spent some time messing with that. I had further adventures in plumbing and have to go return some pieces and get some more tomorrow. Kerri and I mostly finished up the policies. She is going to look them over one more time and then I will talk to Meredith about them. Started working on April reimbursements and it looks pretty straightforward. Next up? A newsletter.

Ray turned in the grades for two of his classes. Now he just has to read and grade a couple more essays. He went to the dentist and then came to get me. We were home about 3:30. Too hot for gardening. Drinks on the deck, supper, cards, TV, bed.

Serious rain all day yesterday--3 and a half inches in about 12 hours! It wasn't raining too hard when I started walking the dogs, but picked up when I was a ways from home. Even Cameron didn't really like being out in it. I guess he is not much Labrador Retriever!

Work was a mixed bag. We have a new employee, Nora, which is really fun and will be a big help. Meredith set up Google Groups, so we all share calendars and mail and stuff. I think this is probably going to be great, but I find myself more resistant to change than I would like. I prefer getting my mail in Outlook, not on line. I tried to set up Outlook to check it, but it keeps asking for my password. I know I changed it, but I am pretty sure I know what it is, and the program isn't buying it. It's the beginning of the month; bills are rolling in to be paid and it's time to turn in the reimbursement requests and reports for last month. I want to get started on a newsletter this week, too. And we have no interns! So I was starting to be a little panicked about getting everything done. There are some spaces in our volunteer dinner calendar, since the students are leaving town and student groups do not sign up for the summer. I was starting to contact our volunteers and remind them when they signed up for, and found that their information is not in the database like it should be. I asked Jaron to call the group for last night and sent an email to the one person who I had an email address for. Meredith said she would take over the volunteers for this week and next. It will give her an idea of what the system is like (what system?) and what changes she wants to make. An intern was handling it and not as thoroughly as we would have liked. We have hired someone who will be starting while I am gone. She suggested that I consider working full time, starting next year. I admit I would like having the benefits. And she says I can still take unpaid leave as much as I want, but she thinks I am working a lot and should be properly recompensed. She wants the Shelter to be an attractive place to work.

Tried to get someone to come look at the dishwasher, which should be under warranty. They have apparently had problems with doing the work and then being told it was the installation, not the machine, and the company wouldn't pay them. Before they drive out from Norcross, they want our guarantee to pay them if that's the case...hmm...what do I know? I begged and pleaded and he said he would call the company that makes the machine, with the serial number, and see if they would cover it. Also got a plumber to come look at a toilet that overflows somewhat sporadically. He showed how it is loose and needs a new wax seal. So that's on my list for today, as well as starting the reimbursements.

Ray gave his finals and was ready to go home by 3. It let up enough for the Captain to go out and pick some lettuce for dinner. After supper, he said, "now that you are done with your classes, the pressure is off and you can play cards, right?" And Ray said right....so we played cards, watched Big Bang Theory, and went to bed. I am fighting the tendency to get stressed because I am going away and have a lot to do before then and lots of arrangements still to make--hotel in Toulouse, phone? what to pack...

lovely steady rain this morning, already for several hours. a little warm and humid yesterday.

We had our second Alison service and enjoyed it. I like her style and content, but even better I like the full sanctuary and feeling of hope and excitement of the congregation. We voted 161 to 1 abstention to call her as our next minister! Why would you bother to abstain in writing anonymously? that seems so peculiar to me.

We weren't home long before heading out to the Democrats' Spring Fling, an opportunity to listen to candidates for the Democratic Primary. First, the Captain and Vanessa and I finished up the chicken tractor. We differ about what to do with it now. I thought we were putting it in the one remaining garden bed. He doesn't want the chickens to eat the earthworms--so he says we should put it on the lawn. Admittedly, the lawn is not much, but they will destroy it for sure! Leaving behind manure...hmm

Then we stopped by katherine's house to leave her an Amaryllis. She has MS and it is hard for her to talk any more. She didn't answer the door, but I left it on the porch and someone will bring it in for her next time they are there.

I can't tell you all the people I talked to at the Spring Fling. It was at Memorial Park and I wish there had been more people in the audience. Burgers and hot dogs, chips and Coke, not the sort of meal we eat much these days. Ray went ahead in the truck with two grills and he was cooking away. Before we left the house, he called to ask us to get ice on our way. We forgot it was Sunday and stopped at Five Points Bottle Shop, which was of course closed. Then the Captain went into Earth Fare, which is sometimes not as easy to navigate as other stores. Eventually we got there and enjoyed listening to the candidates and getting to talk to them afterwards one on one. A young lawyer, Russell, is running against Paul Broun. I told him I would host an event at my house after we get back from our trip. It would certainly be great if he won!

We were home again a little after 6 and played some more cards. 

Gray skies, although it is clearly light out, birds making a racket, windows open, fan on. Yesterday was rainy, at least in the morning, although not much accumulation of precipitation in the rain gauge. Vanessa and I zipped off to an early morning sale at Belk, a charity event, $5 for a ticket and really good sales. I bought two dresses for $38 each, and two pair of shoes. Missed Amelia, though. I hope she will approve. thinking about what to take on our trip to France...comfortable, easy to pack, looks nice...

Vanessa did not buy anything; trying stuff on is a challenge for her and she had recently bought a dress at Talbots. We then drove to Trumps, where we met the guys at the Democrats' breakfast. This was the event where our state legislators, Keith Heard and Doug McKillip, spoke about the just-ended legislative session. They talked about how they tried to keep extreme legislation from being passed, save as many education dollars as possible, try to increase income, but Georgia  is behind other states in a lot of ways. Many elected officials are worrying about the next election, instead of the next generation (according to Doug). A Democratic governor would help.

After that, Ray and I ran a couple errands and headed home. It was still morning and we had already done a lot! Spent a little time outside, made bread, played cards, drank mint juleps and watched the Kentucky Derby, ate supper and watched more TV.

Ah, Saturday morning. Warm enough so we had the window open in our room overnight, but not too hot to sleep. Spring in Georgia...

Yesterday, got to work on time. Ray was "furloughed" but he had to make up exams for Monday and get them copied, so went in to work. The good thing--the parking services people were also furloughed, so he could park at his building without a parking permit! The bad thing? He had to make the copies himself. Not a big deal.

I worked hard all day, more policies, more budget, getting keys for a new staff member starting Monday, mailing things, buying replacement parts for a toilet that keeps overflowing.

It was a little hot when we got home about 4. I tried weeding but came back inside where it was nice and cool for a while. Once the shade reached the bed I wanted to work on, I went back out. Weeding peppers and eggplants.

Drink on the porch, made supper with Ray's help. Enjoyed watching Up a lot. I am somewhat concerned  that good movies made with real people are becoming more scarce. What does it mean if we only watch "pretend" shows? Of course, it means lower budgets for the filmmakers, doesn't it? I guess they don't pay animators as much as actors.