My life as an environmental activist

As we headed out for our walk this morning, bundled up against the cold--45 or so, not really cold--I could hear something. "Is that rain?" "I believe that is rain," said Ray. Never mind that the forecast was for 0% chance of rain! It was light. The dog didn't care. Ray carried a small bag of trash, lightweight and about the size of a basketball (mostly kleenex from his recent cold). Today is trash day and we hadn't put it out last night. We walked to a neighbor's to leave it in the bin. We share trash pickup, since we both have little waste. We try to make most of what we eat, and/or buy in bulk. When we do have containers (cans of beans, wine bottles, etc.), Ray washes them thoroughly for recycling. We thought about turning back and driving it over, but it seemed like almost more trouble than walking. Of course, it would not be as good for the environment--or us. We enjoyed the gray sky and colorful trees. When we got to Nancy's, she happened to be at the top of the drive and we had a chance to chat with her for a minute. Ray said he was heading back, but I was going on. "No," I said. "Yes," he said. Nancy was admiring of our bravery. And I continued on my walk, while Ray turned back to work on his notes for class. I am pretty steadfast in my commitment to walk a mile every morning. It is not very much, but seems to make a difference in my health--mental and physical. Sometimes I think of my mother and how she pushed herself to walk just this mile many times. I know it was much harder for her, and I can do it easily, so I do. It had pretty much stopped raining by the time we got home. 

self-portrait with hat and scarf

Andropogon!

Pinwheel cookies were a big success. Of course, they have chocolate.

Alpacas at the Science Museum in Durham

Dinosaur Trail

Bears at the Science Museum

spider web season

The chickens are getting their  feathers back after molting

Back to work

It's a beautiful sunny morning here in Georgia, although it was well below freezing at dawn.

Friday was my first day of training for my new job, as office manager for a small local office of a large corporation. I was one of 16 people there, most of whom were coming back for another tax preparation season. I was honored to be one of two new office managers not promoted from within. Two others worked for the company previously, but not in that capacity.

Corporate culture is entertaining and frustrating. We are "client service leaders." Receptionists are "client service professionals," but of course, they are referred to by abbreviations: CSL and CSP. There are many more abbreviations and code words. We talked about setting goals and motivating employees in our offices with clever bulletin boards and rewards of $7.

Yesterday, I worked 8 1/2 hours, with no break. It was fun. Yes, I said fun. I have very mixed feelings about taking this job. If I were going to "sell out" and work for a corporation, I would like to get more than $10/hour! On the other hand, working is way better than not working, most of the time. One of the good things is that I will only have to work until April 17, unless they like me enough to ask me to stay on and do some off-season work. I would probably be able to come back next year and do it again, if all goes well, so I have a fall-back plan and time to look for something I like better. In the meantime, from early January, I will be working full-time, for the first time in many years of un- and under-employment. I will have to work some nights and weekends, something I have always resisted.

Starting a new job, it is impossible to know which people will become friends I will miss a few months from now and which will be a huge pain in the neck. But, they seem pleasant; they seem to like me and appreciate me. I was busy, but not stressed most of the day.

The tax preparers were notified (only a few days ahead) to come by the biggest Athens office, the one that is open before the season. There was a list of things they were supposed to do: renew their tax preparer ID, sign up for the company credit card, order business cards, commit to their hours for 2014, verify their citizenship (I-9), and sign up for "Skills" times.

It was a bit chaotic when I arrived. L. was supposed to be in charge. She had brought an assistant, K. There were several office managers from previous years, assigned to help the TP (tax preparers). Since I did not know much about anything, I was assigned to greet people and send them to the first station, the training room that had plenty of computers.

After a bit, L. developed a checklist she wanted them to fill out. They were supposed to do the steps in order. Then she gave me a sign-in sheet and asked me to make sure to get everyone's name on it. It was pretty busy early on. L. and K. were supposed to verify the documents to prove citizenship: either a passport or a driver's license AND a social security card. I had to go to my safe deposit box on Friday before training to get my passport. I haven't seen my social security card in years. (It's probably around somewhere). Then L. would sign them up for skills training. She was trying to do other things as well, so a bottleneck developed. I felt bad for the people waiting. It shouldn't have taken very long.

Eventually, I was given the task of verifying documents as well, and then, signing people up for training. In between times, I ate food I had brought with me. I hoped it wasn't against company policy to eat at the desk. I had access to the on-line training I needed to do for my tax classes. The exam is next Wednesday, and I have two more classes before then. I am a little behind, due to working! The other CSL's helped me with getting clocked in and doing the things I needed to do and didn't know how.

By the time I left, after 7:30, I had eaten 2 small Snickers bars (from Halloween) and three cookies. My neighbor, Nancy M., had fallen and broken her collarbone. She needed me to pick up her medication at the hospital, so I went there before I went home. Ray had dinner ready (chicken tagine from the freezer, but still great). He was starving waiting for me.

After that, there wasn't much left of the evening. Wheel and the Daily Show and a chapter or so before I fell asleep, for at least 8 hours.

Pure by Julianna Baggott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Some of the details of this world are hard to believe...yet it is still engaging, perhaps because of the "plucky"  teenage heroine. The ruined, post-apocalyptic world has haves and have-nots, but none of them are really happy. Let's try not to let it come to this, OK?


View all my reviews

A day in the Kitchen

I feel good about yesterday, although it had its ups and downs.

Ray left early, as I was beginning to work on the next batch of buns. Amelia arrived from Kevin's before he left. She and I took the dogs for a walk, including Maggie, who is very timid with other dogs. Osa was barking at her and chasing her and she was skulking behind Amelia's legs. Some of the time she was enjoying the wildness, smelling and exploring. She is allowed to stay in the house while the other dogs are shut in the breezeway. She slept most of the morning.

Amelia and I talked a lot about the wedding and the food. She sat at the counter with computer and notebook, while I made the best buns yet, as well as birthday cake for my Dad--the traditional Freeman one, with citron, that most kids don't like. I also made and froze six pie crusts--before lunch!

Actually, lunch didn't really happen. Amelia had to take me into town to get the car from Ray's parking lot and drive to the police station to report the accident. Before we did that, we dropped the truck off at Kevin's (since we were using his car), so he could drive himself over to Kenney Ridge while we were gone--and run intervals.

Julie (the driver of the other car) had agreed to meet me and there she was. We went inside the police station and waited 15 minutes or so for the people ahead of us. We met with Officer Black. Julie has cooperated fully, without being very apologetic. He did not look at the cars or fill out any paperwork, since they were not at the scene. He just gave us a form to fill out that should satisfy the insurance company. He seemed impressed at how well we appeared to get along (calling us "civil"). He thought we must have known each other or been related. She filled out part of the form. I told her I would let her know before I called the insurance company. The policeman seemed to think it would be better for her to just pay for the repairs, to keep her insurance from going up. He thought mine would, too, but I'm pretty sure it won't. She said it was completely up to me.

I was pretty annoyed to have to deal with that, especially right now. I certainly hope Gini is doing okay. I think I will be fine.

Amelia and Ray and I went to EarthFare and bought some things, most importantly the chicken I cooked for dinner last night. My Dad was at the house when we got there, in his nice clothes. I set to work making Coq au Vin--well, first Ray set to work cleaning up the kitchen for me. I froze the morning's rolls. After the coq au vin, I made cauliflower curry and plain rice. That gave Amelia something to eat and the rest of us a vegetable dish. We also frosted the cake and put candles on it--not 86, but 14. Can you figure out why?

Amelia had to run over to Kevin's and Ray had to take a nap, but eventually the 5 of us had a lovely dinner (with Kevin even eating everything on his plate!) The cake was tasty, although some people picked out the raisins. Then we played Hearts until almost 9:30. My Dad was tired, but seemed quite happy. I was very pleased with myself to get all that done. Now, on to today's challenges!

my peach dessert from Sunday

one of the many spiderwebs everywhere this time of year

The saga of the car accident continues. My back hurts a little, but it often does, so it is hard to say if it relates to the car accident. Gini, on the other hand, is very concerned about her back (and mine).

I called the insurance company and they need a police report. I called the police and they need Julie (the other driver) and me to come in together. I called Julie and she called me back several hours later. I am meeting her at the police station at 12:45 today. Not what I want to be doing. Then I have to call to file a claim. Then I have to go to the body shop. And I have to decide whether to try to fit in a visit to the chiropractor or any other health care provider to check out my back.

Aside from that, I got a 93 on my tax midterm. One question was a dumb mistake, copying the wrong number. One question I got wrong because our textbook was wrong and I neglected to fix it when I was told about it. One question I am still not sure I understand. However, in general, I feel pretty good. I need to apply to H&R Block. The rest of the class already has interviews lined up.

Went to the grocery store and picked up some things, like shredded wheat for Hank. Also more flour and sugar for more rolls and pie crusts and cookies.

Made shrimp and chorizo with mashed potatoes and a few garden green beans. Pretty darn tasty.

Worked on my homework. Watched TV. Read. Went to sleep. Woke up at 4:40. Darn it! Amelia texted me. They arrived last night at Kevin's at 11:30. Time to get cracking!

It's been an interesting week

grasshopper on the chicken feed bin--he's a goner soon

Time has been flying by and already it's been October for a week!

 

I have been making "slider buns" for Amelia's party, not something I've made before. I have 47 in the freezer...I have about that many that are too dark and we are eating them. They are pretty tasty. I think they need to be a little smaller. I've been experimenting a bit with the recipe. I need to bake 153 more this week, not as hard as it sounds. For one thing, it is supposed to be cooler. I hate to use the oven when it's already hot in the house. We actually turned the AC on yesterday for a bit. 

We had a great rain in the night, which the garden really appreciated. I have watered several times, trying to convince my plants to produce. My Dad picked some beans the other day. I froze about a cup and we ate some. They have to be trimmed. They have lots of eaten places in them. I saw a huge grasshopper eating them one day, but she got away. It would probably be a lot worse if it weren't for the chickens. I found a scorpion yesterday and they were nearby, so I called them over. They thought it was a tasty treat. I have lots of blossoms on the zucchini, which are still alive, but they are only male blossoms (useless!). Maybe they only put out female blossoms when it's warmer? The cucumbers do have baby fruits; we'll see if they make it. We set out some lettuces that my Dad started indoors, and they look pretty good. The bok choy are mostly eaten, but a few will make it. Broccoli look good--we bought those plants at Cofer. Something ate part of them, but we have dusted with dipel and they are on track to produce in a few more weeks. 

Barney and Joe at sunrise

My tax class is going well. I have gotten 100 on all the computer assessments. I need to apply to work at H&R Block and they will probably hire me. It's depressing because the pay is so low, but at this point, it would be good to be working and hopefully will help my chances of other employment. The midterm is today and I completed the review. All tests and quizzes are open book. The work is challenging, but I like knowing all about the rules. I am sure I can re-file my past three years and get some money back, plus use the skills in the future. 

We had a lovely visit to Fripp Island with our friends Deb and John last weekend. The weather was gorgeous. We did what we always do--go for long walks at sunrise, eat and drink, sit on the beach, play in the surf, play bocce ball, eat and drink--and play cards. The hardest part is the 5-hour drive to and from. I drove both ways, so Ray could work. One other sad thing is I don't body surf any more. It is too risky for my back. 

We went dancing yesterday with Gini and John. It was great to see Natalie again, our dance instructor. They are in a "new" building, over by the Classic Center. It's a renovated warehouse with nice brick walls, etc. I don't think the acoustics are as good...and it's downtown, but it's still nice. We had lunch first, at Square One, a seafood restaurant near there. It was good. I had two Mimosas! And peach custard for dessert. Also shrimp and grits. 

On the way over, I was driving up Lumpkin. A car ahead of me was stopped to turn left, so I stopped. A few seconds later, wham! A car hit us from behind so hard, I could feel it in my neck and head. So, I guess that's what whiplash feels like. We pulled around the corner and they followed us, thank goodness. I didn't really want to get out of the car. The other driver came to us and asked if we were okay. She assured me there was no damage. I asked for her insurance information. She is a student at the university named Julie. We said we would let her know if we had any long-term effects that needed treatment. She said she would hate for us to suffer any pain. She was a little too cheerful, but I didn't see any point in lecturing her and I was too lazy to call the police and wait for them to come. Probably I should have. I did call my insurance company and Ray said you can see damage when you look closely, so I'll have to follow up with them today. I can still feel it, but appreciate that it doesn't seem to have any long-term effects. I am worried about Gini, though, who said she had pain running down her leg. We both took some Tylenol with our Mimosas... 

 

 

all that exercise is exhausting

Still life at the beach

the most work I did all weekend...and it was good!

Bocce on the Beach...some people are serious about it

 

dinner in Augusta on our way home: Bees Knees

salad for Ray

Hanging doors

Roy, Ray, and the Shim Girl...a new rock band?

John and Ray share Death by Chocolate