Working on Books

 

As we are slowly decluttering our house, I have been thinning out my books.  Now, let me first say that I love books.....who'd have thought that, right?  I enjoy reading now.  I didn't always, but as an adult, I really love it.  But I have too many books.  Plain and simple.  Part of that is because we will go to Ed McKay's and I'll peruse the cheap book section and walk out of there with a basketful of books.  And there's nothing wrong with that at all.  But I've reached the point where I have stacks of books all over the house and that just has to change.

As I'm going through the books, I'm forming a list of criteria on which to base whether I keep it or let it go.  It's not absolute, but it's helping me in the process.  

1.  Is it a family heirloom?  I have a good many books that I inherited from Grandmother and her sisters.  I keep a lot of them, but have let some go as well.  Nothing that I was too emotionally connected to.  The ones I keep mean a lot because I feel like I have a piece of family history in my bookcase.

2.  Was is a special gift from someone?  These are generally books I'll keep because not only were they gifts, but someone was thinking of me when they got it for me.  Especially if they have inscribed it.

3.  Will I read it again?  This is a tough one because often I'll say, yes, I'll read that again one day.  But when I was going through books the other day, I really stopped and asked myself if I would read it again or not.  And there were a few times that I waivered but decided that if I wanted to really reread it and I didn't have it anymore, that's what the library is for (which I need to support and don't)

4.  Is it a valuable book?  I don't have many that are considered valuable and if they are valuable, it's nothing astronomical.  I have a few antique sets of books which probably have a little value, so I'll hold onto them.  Otherwise, since I probably bought them for a quarter, I can let it go.

5.  Do I have a place for it?  I specifically have 3 places where books should be:  the stack bookcase in the living room, the bookcase in the office and the top half of the secretary.  Now, I'm not including cookbooks in this blog because that's a different story all together.  And, no, I don't have a good place for them either!!  The bookcase in the office has one shelf of books and 3 shelves of records...of course LOL  So, that's another area I'm working on.

Still, I love books and will continue to read them and purchase them, I just need to be more particular of what I'm buying.  That way, I don't end up with stacks of books everywhere.  I can handle that.  So ends today's episode of Around The House

When one challenge helps another

 It's interesting how one challenge helps the other....unintentionally LOL  I've been doing better lately about drinking more water. In the end, it's not as hard as I thought it would be.  Not that I thought it was this humongous task, but still it wasn't embedded in my daily routine.  However, my meds are helping me to drink more water.  Several of the meds that I take are diuretics, which increase the passing of urine. Delightful, no?  So, I go to the bathroom a lot more than I used to.  Ah, the joys of middle age!

In an effort not to dehydrate myself, I'm definitely taking in my daily allotment of water, sometimes more.  And, of course, I'm going to the bathroom more.  It's a vicious cycle.  Often, early in the morning (or the middle of the night), I will go to the bathroom and it's as if my bladder is completely full and I'm like where is this coming from?  Drives me crazy.

So, taking my meds is helping me with my water challenge.  It's not the most pleasant reason why, but hey, I'll take it.  

That is all.

Writing a paper

 I am currently in the beginning stages of writing my 2nd paper as a graduate student.  The first one was fairly well received, overall.  This one, I'm having a difficult time getting started.  Earlier in the semester, we each did a gerontology career exploration. Now we have to take that exploration and apply one of the theories we have studied to it.  Seems simple enough, right?

Well, anytime I write anything it seems that I spend hours staring at the blank page...just waiting to put the first words on the page.  I wouldn't call it writer's block because I have so many ideas swirling around in my head.  I just find it hard to get those first words to get me going.  Once I do that, I'm pretty good to go.  And, usually, those first words I started with end up getting majorly edited or altogether deleted.  Ah, well.

I have to keep telling myself not to make this harder than it needs to be.  Once I can convince myself of that, the words usually start flowing like lava.  It's just a matter of getting to that point.  I have found my anchor theory for the paper, which is good.  Now, it's simply time to write...and rewrite...and proofread...and rewrite...and proofread again.  Seems like a never ending process.

But I can do this.  I'm a good writer.  I just need to believe in my abilities.

That is all.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

Starting my Wednesday off with this beautiful arrangement by Gilbert Martin of the hymn When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.  We sang this several times when I was in youth choir at FBC Monroe.  I've always thought it a wonderful song and enjoyed singing it.  Not only beautiful, but the words are profound and thoughtful...just what I need to guide me today.  That is all.

You may need to watch in on Youtube so you can turn up the volume LOL
 

Quote of the Week

 As life seems to be passing by quicker and quicker each day, and I get busier and busier with work and school, I often stop and think about how I miss so many people that were once such a huge part of my life.  And it's not because they are not in my life anymore, just time and circumstance often drift people apart for one reason or another.  I believe that it is time to make the time to reignite some of these old friendships and discover new ones along the way.  One day, I want people to say about me what Charlotte says to Wilbur.  That is all.

The Continuing Adventures of Just a Waiter - Our PVB'S

 We have a set of principles, values and beliefs that we recite every day at work:

"We are committed to exemplary service, delivered with integrity, dignity and passion. Our communities for seniors are distinguished by warm, secure and friendly environments.  We will enhance each resident's lifestyle by responding immediately to residents' needs and concerns, offering high quality, creatively designed programs, encouraging independence, promoting a sense of community and friendship.  We the staff are committed to teamwork, being professional, open communication, fostering a learning environment, continuous improvement, profitability.  We live by a standard of conduct which encompasses honesty, accountability, personal development and a passion for excellence."

Every day at work, this is spoken.  And I take it to heart.  Every day. I hate the days when I don't live up to this expectation.  I feel like those are few and far between for me, but it still happens.  I once worked a day when I did not "openly communicate" and it could have ended disastrously.  I was so overwrought with guilt that I took my leader aside and told her.  Luckily, everything turned out alright but it was a scary few days.  I think these are more than just words.  And I feel lucky that most of the people I work with feel the same way.

Also, it is my personal goal to teach everyone I work with that "exemplorary" is NOT a word LOL

That is all.

This scripture fits

 I have felt this a lot over this past week but I've gotten through it!  Let's hope that keeps going!