Sunday Salon - 2nd try

1. I put together a great post yesterday using a new  blogging app. The eblooger app keeps failing due to the recent Apple updates (and it was never great anyway, barely enabling you to add pictures, no html access, etc.). The new app is pretty impressive, or it was until my post was all set to go, I hit publish and …it went “away”. No clue where it went, but it is not live, not saved, just gone. Grrr!!!! But I’m trying this ONE more time. [Looks like it was my fault…the save button I’ve been hitting is, obviously, NOT the save button. But I do think I found the right one now.] 2. It was a busy, busy summer. My summer program were overwhelming and exhausting, but I survived (as did most of the students, haha, just kidding everyone had an awesome time!). I was glad when it was over and I went on vacation, but I do feel I learned a lot about the process and expect that next summer will be smoother 3. I am pretty much done with this whole election thing. Seriously. And more than a little terrified. I have never been shy about sharing my political points of view, sorry Facebook friends, but will spare you all. You’re welcome. But let’s just do this thing and get it over already.  

4. A few months ago, I had written a wonderful long post with lots of updates and just needed to add pictures (see note about eblogger above). I then walked into the kitchen for something and managed to break a toe on the way back. Yeah, I know. Hubby says I could stub my toe in a round room, and he is not wrong! I know a broken toe shouldn’t stop me from blogging, but…well, you know. 5. I had the opportunity this summer to take some photos. My “little” brother played a performance with his band, The Miller Street Barn Band. I took the ole camera along for fun. And, I actually got some pretty good pics, if I do say so myself! More importantly, I had a great time. 6. So Boston Conservatory has officially merged wth Berklee School of Music. My paycheck now comes from Berklee. The actual process, merging efforts, will take years, but we have begun. And, more importantly, I still have a job…and that is good news! 7. The Purely Vocals girls and I performed out last gig of the season last night. With Vicki enjoying her retirement and traveling the world during the winter months, we only get to sing and perform together during the summer. But it was good one, with several performances and another girls’ weekend away in Conneticut. See attached photos. 8. Way back in the day, I was able to get a little blogging done at work…during extreme down times (I spent a lot of time waiting for others to get back to me). Now a days, not only am I very busy much of the time (which is good, I prefer being busy), but we use Google products (email, drive, etc.). That means that I am not able to log into the blog, without logging out of work email, etc. and logging into my own. That is very inconvenient. Come on Google, figure this out! 9. The kitties are doing really well. They are fully grown now, at two years old. L is still a little tiny peanut and A is a big, big girl, but everyone is healthy. They still play like little babies, jumping on one another, chasing mice toys, and cuddling as much as they can. A has recently started coming to me for cuddle times, that is new! And its awesome!  

10. Well, I’ve managed to pick up some nasty bug…runny nose, sore throat, and I do believe a fever. Time for me to go to bed, despite it being only 7:30. Night, night.

P.S. If this upload works, I am all into this new blogging app!

Update: hmmm, not perfect. Needed a bit too much nit-picking.

   

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Sunday Salon - 06/12/16

The Sunday Salon is now a Facebook group.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by

Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

Life:

A wonderful vacation week of rest and relaxation, much overdue...after jumping from one job to another in August of last year without time off and having no time to breathe since then.

It was a VERY productive week around the house. I was able to get a bunch of home/life related things done that I have been putting off for months. As well, hubby was off so we went yard-saling, book buying (more about this later this week), and even took a trip up to New Hampshire to enjoy the wilderness. We visited the Flume in Franconia Notch/White Mountains (about a two hour ride). I'm not much of an outdoors woman, but hubby loves it.  The weather was perfect, cool and windy (read: few bugs), and it was a really, really nice day.

I even took my camera along to try, again, to get some decent shots (I am a TERRIBLE photographer - I DO NOT have "the eye")...oh, you think I'm over (or under) estimating:

I FORGOT MY CAMERA BATTERY!

I had taken it out to charge it. I put it back in my bag (with my extra battery) when we left...but never put it back in the camera. It sat in the car the whole time, while I lugged my useless camera around.  I am a seriously BAD photographer! Ha, ha!!

But thankfully, I did have my phone with me, so all was not lost:

It was seriously gorgeous out there!

I tried to get some pictures of the surprisingly tame chipmunks (I kid you not, I almost stepped directly on one), but they were all blurry (the pictures, not the chipmunks - HA). Oh well, still learning I guess.



Blogging:

Along with my valiant efforts at home (we cleaned the basement, well half the basement...again), I was also able to get a fair amount of blog work done as well. I finally updated my blog template, as the one I was using was giving me trouble. I had changed it briefly, but the color scheme messed things up worse. So I finally sat down and found something new that cleaned this mess up. Then, I updated pages, prepared posts, etc., etc.

Hopefully it is more enjoyable for everyone. It was certainly about time!!

Have a great week everyone.

Shannon
 

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Sunday Salon - 06/05/16

The Sunday Salon is now a Facebook group.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by

Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

Life:

It's a dreary, rainy day here in the Boston area...and that is kind of nice actually. 

I've got the TiVo frozen and am enjoying the sounds of the rain coming down and the kitties sleeping around me. Hubby and I are on vacation this week, which was extended by a day for me on Friday due to a freebie staff appreciation day. A thank you for our extra effort during the merger, which took place Thursday. Yep, folks, I now work for Berklee School of Music. Exciting.

I'm already struggling with not worrying about work... I was able to hire the gal who helped out last year, so I know everything will be fine. But I'm still having to refocus my thoughts often...and it's still just the weekend, so nothing has happened yet! Ugh, get control Shannon!

Friday and Saturday were actually quite productive as cleaning and laundry got done early so I could just sit back and just enjoy. I also finally updated months of back log in tracking finances in Quicken and set up new accounts as hubby and I recently changed banks. Hubby also did his share, so the lawn is even mowed!

I also broke out my camera again, in the hopes of getting out this week. It's looking to be a fairly wet once though, so who knows!? But at least I am reading up again and playing with it. The blogger Gallo Organico does a summer photo scavenger hunt, so maybe I'll toss in this summer...hmmm....


Blog:

Saturday was also the annual library book sale, and once again I did some fair damage. I actually came home with a full box...and hubby didn't threaten divorce. So he's a #keeper!

The problem with buying a bunch of great books is you just want to read them all. Now. Every. Single. One. Right now!  But realistically I can't possibly. But I can dream.

Have a great week everyone!!

Shannon

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Sunday Salon - 03/19/16

The Sunday Salon is now a Facebook group.

The Sunday Post

is a weekly meme hosted by

Kimba@Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

Life:

And, she's back!

After so many weeks, I am sure that you were all sure that I had finally given up on the blog. But no, not me. I clearly don't know when to give up, so I am back once again!

After realizing that having a keyboard for my iPad would be extremely helpful at work, I decided to finally go get one. Then, my fish died. The one that I have had for a good ten years (honestly!) and talked about in this post:  
 
R.I.P. My beautiful friend.  

Hubby "buried" him by releasing his body into a nearby lake, so he has hopefully gone off to fishy-heaven.  And, in a bout of retail therapy, I bought not just a keyboard, but a new iPad, a mouse (turns out the only way to get that to work is to jailbreak, no thanks), and a new cover. Long story short, I had to go back THREE times to finally get a keyboard that worked, but I did...and here it is. Impressed? Well, I am. And, obvious benefit, it will make blogging much easier!

So, what is up with me?  

Work is busy as usual, though we have finally gotten  a student to help with things. As well, it is the middle of the semester, the mid-semester lull, so I am finally getting caught up. And, the big news at work is finally official: The Boston Conservatory (my company) will be merging with Berklee School of Music. By the middle of this year, we will all be Berklee employees. Exciting, stressful, wonderful, and more than a little scary. Everyone is hoping they still have jobs when this is done, but only time will tell.

The kitties are doing great. Still playful and adorable, though more and more adult every day. Sigh, they grow up so quickly! 

Blogging:

I've got a lot of catching up to do here, reviews and posts and blog upkeep, oh my!

First order of business, I need to update my TBR page. I haven't touched it in months as Shelfari is going away. Is anyone as bummed as I am about Shelfari?!?! Amazon, yuck! Goodreads, blah! Shelfari good! 

But what choice do I have? 

I sucked it up and updated my old (barely used) Goodreads page. It was a RIDICULOUS amount of work as my whole Shelfari book list did not transfer over easily. Lots of extra typing and lost all my followers.  I was not a happy camper! Though to be fair, it could have been much worse. 

And surprisingly, Goodreads has actually gotten better. It has a few key things that they never used to have (and Shelfari did), like the ability to export an Excel spreadsheet of your lists...a Godsend with a list of more than 10,000+ books. So that's a good start, though they still have an ugly set up. Shelfari always looked like an actual bookshelf, pretty!  What matters, I suppose, is it's finally done. Please feel free to visit me over there, and maybe even follow me?!

Well, I could go on and on, but that's going to be it for now.

Have a great week everyone!!

Shannon
 

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Sunday Salon - 1/17/16

The Sunday Salon is now a Facebook group.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by
Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

Life:

Howdy Doody!

Popping in to say high and update. All is well on the northern-eastern front.

Work is very busy. I don't get any time to do personal stuff, like blogging, like I used too in the old job as my new position really is the combination of what is typically three separate full-time jobs. More than one person has indicated that when they saw my job description, they just laughed. No one thought it was possible. It's not, but I am doing my best to keep up. And we have made some adjustments  which have enabled the role to manage more and hands-on less duties, so I am surviving. My bosses tell me repeatedly that I have been doing a really great job and am making a difference for them. So that is really, really nice to hear - especially after my recent situation. This is definitely what I am used too!

Changes are still in the works there...but it's not been officially announced yet, so I can't share just yet. But I will when the time is right.

The past couple of weekends have been extra busy. My in-laws moved out of their home of like 50+ years, to a condo not far from hubby and I (about 5 minutes). We've spent a few days, along with my sister-in-law and her family (who have been helping prepare for months) moving them, unpacking boxes, finding slippers, pillows, and toothbrushes, etc. It must be incredibly hard for them... 

But it's a cute condo, closer to us than they were originally to any family, which is good. They still have a lot of unpacking to do, but they can eat, sleep, shower, dress, and watch TV/read. It's a start. We spent today making the place look less like a storage shed and more like a home, emptying as many boxes as we could and removing them, cleaning up, helping to fix closets, unpack boxes of bathroom build up (if you've ever moved, you know how this type of stuff multiples without your realizing it!). In their eighties, they can only do so much on their own, but hopefully they can now begin relaxing and settling in a bit.  We'll likely be back next weekend, and several after that until every box is unpacked and removed. And I was actually able to give them a "coupon-care-box" of goodies I have stocked piled in my basement (detergent, soap, trash bags, dish soap, etc, etc). Yeah for couponing!

Other than that, hubby and I are just going to spend tomorrow's holiday snowed in (by all two anticipated inches) reading and relaxing with the kitties.

Blogging:

Unfortunately, after the longer commute and overtime, I am usually wiped out at night. So it's hard to motivate to do just about anything. Despite that, I did start a blog project this week. Not realizing it was Bloggiesta weekend, I didn't sign up...but the project, which I'm hoping to finish tomorrow really is fitting. And, I did manage to preset a bunch of posts. Now I just have to remember to complete and publish them!  And I really, really have to get some reviews done!  Honestly, the more I can do on my iPad, the more likely it will be published. If I have to turn on a computer...well, not likely.

Anyway, things are still chugging along here. I hope all is well where you are and that you are looking forward to spring as much as I am!

Have a great week everyone!!

Shannon
 

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Sunday Salon - 12/6/15

The Sunday Salon is now a Facebook group.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by
Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

Life:

Hello all!

It's been a long few months being on blogging hiatus. Anyone who was following me before and happens to still be here - thank you for sticking around!! 

Long story short (or kinda long, actually)...

As of my last writing, if you recall, I had been forced (not happily, though not exactly kicking and screaming) into a new position at work. It wasn't quite the right fit. I knew that, but I needed the job and figured I'd stick it out. Overall, it was good. Ninety-eight percent of my new "clients" loved me. I heard every day how great I was and how glad people were that I was working with them. Every. Day. Then, there were a couple of A-holes [this is a fair assessment, one of them called me up screaming one day - professional, no?!]. Could I have given them better service? Perhaps. Was I doing my best given the first four months in the job I was literally doing BOTH my old and new full-time jobs!? Yes.

It sucked to find myself in that situation. I am a perfectionist and am admittedly used to excelling at work, since I began working at like sixteen. I was a freakin' KMART Employee of the Month in high school! I was promoted to assistant manager of a record store the day I was hired. Literally two hours after I started they pulled me in the back and asked if I would start training to manage another store the next day!  So this failure situation unnerved me greatly [...honestly I am still struggling to bounce back. I still wake up at night and lie for hours worrying about what I have forgotten].

It all sort of came to a head when my ex-supervisor [who I have to admit is a really nice person and *may* have had the best of intentions] starting putting me in situations where I couldn't trust her. For example, she offered to write an email to those two folks who were unhappy, taking blame for her lack of attention to my training and promising to provide better service. She asked if I wanted my name to be included at the bottom. I agreed. I truly wanted it to work out and was willing to put in even more overtime hours to fix things [I was already going in early and staying late!]. Then suddenly, said email was coming from me and I was the one aplogizing. WTF?! Then she asked me, "You're not worried about this going into your personnel file, are you?" [Actually, I hadn't worried about that until you mentioned it, but thanks.] I just knew it was time to go.

[It should be noted that I worked at that company for over six years and was very happy up until the last year or so when they brought in contractors to help cut costs - ie staff].

Thankfully, I am extremely blessed to be very...employable. And lucky! So here I am today...

I was able to find an amazing job that is not only a perfect fit for me, but also a challenge. I am still in higher education but am working at a Conservatory, which fits my music and theater background perfectly! A dream job. And though its taken me some time to settle in, I feel appreciated and welcomed every day. I love it here! Some changes are brewing within the company (a merger is pending) and everyone is hoping their jobs will survive, me especially! But we are being told that there is no intent to reduce staff, just to merge our different but similar worlds.  For now, we are just going with the flow and hoping for the best. I am chosing to believe that this amazing door that opened for me, at the right time, was meant to be!

So that's where I've been these past months...worrying, stressing, adjusting, growing.

Away from work, things are good. The kitties are doing very well and have become sweet, cuddly girls. They are growing up so fast! Hubby says they have "chosen"... A cuddles and loves on him and L is clearly my baby, with snuggles and face rubs. They have discovered the basement, which Hubby finally cleaned up!, and they love it. It's dark most the day and they can cuddle up together in a pappason chair and sleep. It's still freakin adorable how the snuggle and play.

 

We put up our Christmas tree today. I realized that the babies were living in a PetSmart for their first Christmas. This is their first "real" Christmas, first tree, etc. I can't wait for Santa to come!

Blog:

I'm just getting back into the swing of things and hope to get ahead on postings, perhaps over the holidays (Christmas Eve through New Years, which the new company gives us off - in addition to vacation time annually!). I am reading much more now that I am no longer driving but taking the commuter rail and T. I've got a bunch of reviews to catch up on! Perhaps an update of the blog will be I the cards this year... We'll see.

Overall, I'm just really glad to be back.

Have a great week everyone!!

Shannon

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Sunday Salon - 08/09/15

If you are interested in other Salon posts, visit the Facebook page to get links. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Life:

Hey all, sorry I've disappeared of late.

After all my extra effort at work in the spring (and unpaid overtime), it's just not a great fit. Some of the job is working out fine and other parts not so much. I guess this happens sometimes with jobs changes. It's all very, very stressful and frankly sad.

My boss seems committed to working it out, which is nice. I'm not clear how, and miss much of my old job duties, but clearly I have to keep paying my mortgage...so I'm doing my best (while keeping all options open). Only time will tell.

But, needless to say it's hard to focus on blogging when every day you are emotionally and mentally drained by the time you get home.  I am hoping (and sending out daily prayers - I welcome any extras that you might have to share) that I will be able to clean up this mess quickly and move forward in wonderful ways. But until then, I'm just treading water.

Otherwise, all is pretty good. Hubby is good, house is good, summer is good, and life is good.  The babies are doing great! They have both grown quite a bit and are finally totally settled. They are clearly still ferals, shy to noise and quick movements, but they cuddle willingly and soak up the love we give them. I'm the luckiest kitty-momma in the world to come home to them each day.

Blogging:

I am still reading. In fact, probably more given it's ability to let me disappear mentally. And I am still reading your blogs behind the scenes, as always. But for now, I need to remove the stress of blogging and keeping up the blog for sanity's sake. I will be back....don't remove me just yet! Once all at work calms down I will catch up, I promise. 

Best,

Shannon

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Sunday Salon - 6/14/15

If you are interested in other Salon posts, visit the Facebook page to get links. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Life:

Hey there, how the hell are you?!?

It's been a little while, hasn't it? After six months, I am finally at a point at work where my every second isn't triple filled! Which is not to say I've got anywhere near the free time I used too, but at least I can arrive after 8:30 a.m., leave before seven p.m., and even eat lunch, while still keeping up. God willing it will continue to be reasonable. I'm still exhausted by the time I get home though.

Hubby took a week off from work in May, but I wasn't able to join him. But now I'm feeling like it's possible, so I looked up my time and discovered that, in fact, I am no longer accruing vacation because I'm maxed out.  So I have planned three weeks of vacation this summer, with the boss' approval to use some up. Clearly, I can use every second of the rest!  The first is next week, so I am literally counting the minutes until this week ends...

The babies are doing really well. They are eating well and playing lots. We finally opened the summer porch for the season and they are permanent fixtures out there! They love the birds that live in the tree next door and the looking down on the bunnies and chipmunks that are finally around after last year's fix family living next door.

The PV ladies are back together again, at least for the summer, since Vicki got back from her overseas travels. We've got several performances planned this summer, but are enjoying a reduced rehearsal schedule as summer is very busy for everyone.  But it's nice to sing with my gals once again!

Blogging:

I had gotten so behind in blogging, it was crazy. But I have continued to read, as that's about all I have energy for after work...other than TV. And let's be honest, at some point, you have to turn that sucker off. You know?!

I am catching up finally, though. My recaps have been updated, and I have gotten a bunch of reviews set to publish... Yes, the books are finally returning to my book blog!! I've also got a bunch of new Tuesday Tunes ready for you and will do my best to keep my Monday posts going.

This past week was wonderful book wise! The town library had their annual book sale. When I mentioned it, hubby didn't threaten to divorce me despite our overflowing shelves. So I went!! As well, this past weekend was a town event where the library always has a book tent where they bring the left-over books and you can take what you want for a donation. I spent about $20 at both events. Not as much as last year, but I got a bunch of great books and look forward to an awesome reading vacation!

What I Am Reading Today

I seem to have finally beat my recent book blahs and have powered my way through a bunch of books recently. Currently, I am reading the third book (I almost positive) of a well known actress. And I read the very short We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanfa Ngozi Adichie this weekend. Short but powerful!

Here's to just a few days left until vacation!!!

Hope it's a great week all!

Shannon

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Salon Sunday - 05/10/15

If you are interested in other Salon posts, visit the Facebook page to get links. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Life:

Well hello there! So sorry for disappearing this last week. Life has been...overwhelming. I'm just trying to keep up.

Everyone is ok, thanks goodness. But work has been kicking my a$$, royally. I was charged with, among normal responsibilities, getting a grant out that has seven subcontracts. Anyone who knows grants realizes that is just...crazy. And it was, for over a month, it was crazy!! But the proposal finally went Tuesday afternoon. Then I was faced with catching up with all the stuff I had been putting on hold and, as it's spring, everyone is suddenly chomping at the bit to arrange summer salaries. It's just been...overwhelming and exhausting and just too damn much!! But I'm surviving and my annual review went pretty good. So, it's onward ho!

Just chill-axin'

The kitties continue to be awesome! They have truly relaxed and settled in. Though loud noises still scare them, they are much more loving and interactive. We've even had family over to meet them and though they were not friendly, A didn't run and hide (though L did, give it time...). We just started trying to expand their diet from Friskies (essentially kitty McDonalds) to anything else. L is such a poor eater. She is so little. Though A is a much better eater, neither one is shy about turning up their nose and walking away. So, for now, it's Fancy Feast (kitty Applebees?)...with mixed results. L digs the tuna. A, not so much. A likes turkey, L turns and runs. Little steps...

This weekend has been extra special, as I celebrate my 45th birthday. Hubby went out of his way...dinner Thursday, presents and cake, a show Friday (Paul Reiser, very funny!), and another present Saturday. And in light of a good month of 10-11 hour work days, I took tomorrow off (my actual birthday was not doable). So it's not over yet! I plan on spending tomorrow reading and relaxing...

And likely feeling guilt about all the things not getting done at work!

Blogging:

I've got to catch up a bit, complete my April re-cap, my A-Z recap, prepare some posts for the next few weeks. I've just been too worn out when I've gotten home to even focus.  Despite my lack of blogging time, I've been reading pretty good, so I was thinking about joining in the Readathon this week...maybe I'll sign up. Or maybe I'll just take part on my own. Who knows?!?

What I Am Reading Today

I was reading How To Build A Girl, by Caitlin Moran, but was having trouble getting into it. So, I switched to a library book I picked up...and I'm almost halfway done in less than a couple days. Funny how things catch your interest like that, huh?!

Hope it's a great week all!

Shannon

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