a little catching up

I am doing a little catching up this morning. I have not had a chance to read the blogs that I follow. Nor have I had an opportunity to post. Several things have kept me preoccupied.

For starters ... last week I went back to work, very part time. It has been 16 years that I have been out of the work force and needless to say, I am needing quite a bit of a learning curve. Oy!
My "line of work" that I was trained in and accustom to, many years ago, was in large corporate offices. One of which was the location of the company's home office. The other was an international insurance agency. I am now employed by a smaller, family owned and run business. I have a lot to learn! Or should I say re-learn. Big city vs. small town has quite a range of differences. The way I see it though, this is all good. I love the challenge and am blessed to work with some real nice people!! My title "Administrative Assistant."

Next ... painting that dresser. Not so good. I painted the body of the dresser (two coats mind you) only to find out that I was using the wrong type of paint ... I suppose that learning curve weaves through many areas of my life huh? The dresser will need to be stripped and redone. Not what I had in mind. I may just take it into town and see if I can sell it! I would be out $20.00 but the option of loosing more time on this project ... well ... is not an option.

Lesson learned on the dresser ... don't paint with latex! Enamel is the one to use. For that matter, keep latex and enamel miles apart when you store it ... that way, no accidental paint jobs.


Okie dokie ... last week I received an award and I am so delighted!!! It is the Smile Award!! How precious is that? Ruby Red Slippers graciously passed this award along to me and ... well ... it made me SMILE!! Thank you so much Ruby Red Slippers, for the award!

I just love visiting Ruby Red Slippers! She is so sincere in her blogging and has a deep love for her family! She has a beautiful & welcoming home. I am so glad to have found her ... she has enriched my life (see this post)!

I had to "SMILE" when I read the rules for accepting this award. One of the requirements is that I make mistakes. Oh boy, that defines the last week of my life. Of course, you already read about my painting mishap, but there is one more and I am a bit limited to what I can divulge, but I will say this, it involved my new job. It was a bit of a doosie! To the point that it caused me to question whether or not working outside of the home was in my (and my new employer's) best interest. So ... I guess I qualify in accepting this award on behalf of my less than perfect last week ... smile!!

It is a challenge for me to pass along the award though. Not for the positive listings, I am blessed to know many ladies who qualify in those ... it is the mistake qualification that I am not finding in others. Seriously. I would really love to pass this along, but the blogs I read seem to be quite perfect! Mary Poppins perfect! Hmm ... I'm in a bit of a quandary.

With any Blog Award, it is important to pass the gift along. (With a few rules, of course!)
Here are the characteristics of the Smile Award:

1. You must display a cheerful attitude.
2. You must show love to others.
3. You must make mistakes.
4. You must learn from others.
5. You must be a positive contributor to blogging.
6. You must love life.
7. You must love kids.

Here are the rules for the Smile Award:

1. You must link back to the award creator.
2. You must post the rules if you are a recipient.
3. You must choose 5 people to pass the award to.
4. You must fit the characteristics of the award.
5. You must post the characteristics of the recipient of the award.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank the giver of the award.