2013 - Whew!

Swedish Memorial
Norwegian American
Northwestern Memorial
St. Mary of Nazareth
Madden
Chicago Read
Choate

Too much. 

I Am A Designer!

No joking!  Today I became a designer.  Not a clothing designer, but a forms designer.  That is quite an accomplishment!

Back in 2011, a young lady worked for me.  She was absolutely excellent with Word.  She designed and created all of my forms.  She never told me how she created forms, she just did it.  Smart young lady who did not give away her trade.

Okay, fast forward 3 years later, new workplace, more forms, and no one knows how to design forms!  During interviews, of course all candidates knew "something" about designing forms.  NOT!!!

I have a Word training class coming up next week.  I figured the instructors will teach me.  But, I thought about it more and decided... I better know how to design forms BEFORE this class!

So, I spent this afternoon / evening learning how to design forms... on my own.

EUREKA!!!  I made some connections this afternoon and finally, I successfully self taught myself the basics.  I will master this skill with creative business form designs before March 2014.

I'm on it!!!

Not too many folks know how to design business forms.  Just like my little outstanding employee back in 2011... I think I will not share this newly acquired self-taught trade.

So, that's the good side of today.  The down side of my day today, is that my son was transferred to a development center in Southern Illinois today.  So very far away.  I am so sad.  But, I am told that he this is an excellent facility.  But, I'm still sad... so far away.

End of January 2014

I had been working on a huge accreditation report for my employer since I was hired. Yesterday was THE BIG accreditation day. A HUGE day!

I arrived at work extra early to set things up. Picked up Dunkin Donuts help ease a tense day for everyone.  But, I got to work too too early.  Had to wait in my car for 30 minutes until security timer off door entrance.

The accreditation conference lasted 3 hours.  I worked so very hard for the past 8 months to ensure a successful accreditation.  It is so important to put the effort, quality and labor into work responsibilities.... Good work ethics and commitment to excellence....WILL GIVE A GOOD PAYOFF (not money, but sense of accomplishment)  and you'll feel good and be proud of the accomplishments!!!

The appraisers were the best, sharp and extremely knowledgeable.  Everyone was pleased, I was relieved.

After the conference, we enjoyed a nice lunch from Panera and I was out of the building before noon!  I took home all the yummy salad so no need for me to cook this snowy weekend!

Drove home in very light traffic and clear weather conditions in about 20 minutes.

Got home in time to watch Maury and took a well deserved nap!

Back up at 4pm - headed downtown to have dinner with my long term childhood friend Sallie Lemon-Oliver at Lawry's Prime Rib.... they make the BEST prime rib!!!  Nice dinner, nice cocktail, nice Pinot Noir and great catch up conversations.

Good bus service back home.

What a full, rewarding, and wonderful last day of January 2014!!!  WHEW!!!
 

January 2014

Happy New Year and what a month!!!!
I jetted off to fabulous Las Vegas on the 1st.  It was a nice quiet drive to the airport at predawn. It started snowing heavy while the plane was being boarded. Long lines of planes waiting to be de-iced.  No planes were landing!  It was nice to soar over the thick clouds over Chicago!!

The weather was nice in Vegas, check in to the grand MGM Grand was nice, no long wait, got my reserved room fast.

Conference next day was fine. Full conference was pleasant.

Okay, time to go home on Monday and I'm hearing nothing except this Polar Vortex freezing out my dear Chicago!

Tuesday - great connections to McCarran.  Plane taxing for take-off.  Good bye fabulous sunny Las Vegas!  Wait!!!!  Why is this plane making turns????  Why are we not taking off??? Hey!!!  What is going on???  Captain announced that Midway is frozen and we are now back at the gate. After 1 hour of waiting, Southwest cancelled the flight. STRANDED!

I was able to get my luggage, rebooked a flight for 2 days later.  Booked a room at the Quad from McCarran.  no wait at check in. Next couple of days quiet at the Quad.

Okay, Thursday, check out, back to McCarran.  Now, I'm worried about my car that has sat at Midway for 8 frozen days!

Nice flight, one stop in Houston, no plane change.

No problems with my wonderful car.

Ironically, my job headquarter was closed due to weather!!

It was wonderful to be back home!!

I have been at my new job for a little over 6 months.  I NEVER visit anyone in the office.  I work nonstop from the time I arrive until its time to leave.  I am not anti-social, but I have a lot of work to accomplish.

I have no idea, why one co-worker has latched on to me with constant complaints about HIS work! This has been going on for 3 months!  This person spends a LONG amount of time complaining.  He even has the nerve to close MY door to complain like a woman!  This is inappropriate!

Listen folks, when things get tough at work, stop the bitching and do the work.

If you spend time in my office complaining, you cannot get YOUR work done and you are interfering with me doing MY work.

This is just common sense.  Folks, you do not need a sounding board.  Just stop the complaining and do your work.

Complaining actually takes a person away from working.  SHUT THE FUCK UP, GET THE HELL OUT OF MY OFFICE AND GO DO SOME WORK!

Why does this nonsense happen to me?????

Day After Directional Advice

I slept good last night.  I am glad to have had the opportunity to think and plan out this crucial moment in life.  It is important to go slow, be careful of spoken words because they can never be taken back.  It is not good to have to regret saying something during a stressful time.

The young relative came by last night.  I gave the loan, fixed her a drink and took her on a tour of my place.  I pointed out the grease stains on my kitchen wall, the totally destroyed back room closet, the filthy dining room carpet and the 2 broken dining room chairs.....all in lousy condition as destroyed by her mother/my sister.  Hence, this is the reason why no one will move in with me.  Her mother destroyed my home during the time she stayed here.  This was one of the reasons I told her, that she would never be able to move in with me.  I will not allow it.

I then had her review a special packet of information I prepared, assembled and copied the day before. It was good information on women's shelters.  I went through this page by page.

I then, packed a nice dinner of fried perch and chicken/veggie rice for her to take home.

I drove her to 3 SRO's that she needs to investigate.  The applications and contact information was in the pack I prepared.

Amazing, during the chat, she seemed to understand and seemed receptive to all information.  I clarified that I am retired, working part time for now and cannot allow relatives to depend on me.  This is a new day.  Everything said was passionate.  I even gave her instructions on how to make initial contact in seeking a shelter.  I will even take care of her cat.

I also warned her to be careful of her mother.  My sister will be likely to ask the nursing home to find her a place.  With that, she will move her daughter in.  My sister cannot take care of herself.  My niece abandoned her in her darkest days.  I will not step in.  So, I advised her do not allow this to happen.

My final point is not only as older adults, we cannot allow younger family folks to use us.  But, we have to be compassionate, provide them with information and details that they may never had considered.  No need for "I told ya so" or to berate a person when they are down.  Give the directions and remain prayerful.

Directives with Compassion

A young family member is following the life path of a parent.  It is a learned behavior of helplessness, dependence and failure.  A very sad reality that reflects the inability to manage one own's life.

The learned behavior is borrowing large sums of money which will never be repaid.
The potential to ask to move in "until they can get back on their feet".

A relative did both of the above for many years.  The amount of money "loaned" was ridiculously high and I will never be repaid. The relative moved in and left my place in a state of disrepair.  There was a sad image of laziness, greed and disrespect.

Let me provide some background details...

Some years ago, this young adult was working and living with mother.  Things were going well.  Then mom lost her job and daughter promptly moved out of the city, leaving her mother stranded (and dependent on me). So, that is when the mother had to move in with me.  There is more... but I'll stop there.

About one year later, I maneuvered for this person to move in with her father. She did not help him, ran up bills and started bringing her thug boyfriend into her father's home against his permission.  The father did the right thing and kicked her out after repeat warnings.    When she moved out, she left the father's place in a filthy mess.  So, of course she cannot go back there.

Now this young relative has approached me to help her... yes the same one who has horribly disrespected her mom and dad.  How does one handle this horrible situation?  I thought about this for 24 hours.  I have come up with the solution.

It is important to be compassionate. Help can be given in many ways.  Remember, the person made bad decisions that led to this point in time.

1. I am going to "loan" the money.  I probably will never get repaid.
But, remember, sometimes you have to look at a loan as a way to "pay-off" a person from ever approaching again.  But, there will be promissory letters signed.  I just completed the letter.

2. This person is NOT going to move into my home.
The mom left my place dilapidated and the young adult disrespected her dad's rules when she stayed with him.  So, that pattern is established.  What could I expect???

3. I am providing life directions.
Yesterday, I drove to some housing units and picked up applications for special housings. Office managers were very helpful.
I spent about 3 hours with online searches for women's shelters.  This is a challenge as women have to be protected and this information is not published.
I went to Kinko's last night to photocopy documents I prepared.
I just finished a full life pack to discuss and give her.

In conclusion, I have had enough!  No more loans and no moving into my home.  I have done enough!  However, I am compassionate.  I spent all day, evening and night preparing life instructions.  Hopefully this will be the directions in life that will be received.