My Publishing House

One of the tasks I actually really like at work is putting together books. It's actually a lot of hard work and manual labor, but for a few moments, I get to pretend like I'm working in my own publishing house.

Being a publisher is hard work. I have to be the copy editor, layout editor, pressman, and bookbinder. My printed masterpieces are all produced in my company workroom, which houses not only the necessary printing supplies but also our printers and binding products. I spend a lot of time sweating it out while I run between the printer, binding equipment and paper supply to make sure all copies of my books are completed properly.

Ok, maybe it's not all as impressive as I try to convince myself, but I have a lot of fun with it. I just always get a kick out of seeing an end product when the beginning is nothing more than a template.

Rainy Day, Cozy Office

Today I'm back to work after the holiday. I got two days off for the holiday, which was really nice. I feel I really benefited from the extra day after having the whirlwind family visit. It was a nice holiday. We had dinner with Cliff's family on Christmas Eve, and I got to spend Christmas morning with my family.

So, I never would have thought I would wake up singing when today was back to work. But I did. As I got ready this morning, I found myself singing to the animals, singing to my new Shark steamer as I dewrinklized my shirt, and otherwise just singing along as I breezed out the door. Cliff is off this week, so you would think I would be moping about having to go to work while he gets to stay home with all my furry companions. But I wasn't really upset about it.

I got to work, got down to business, and now I'm taking a short break to write this post and sip on a mocha I made with our handy-dandy office coffee machine. And while it's all wet and nasty outside, here I am by the soft glow of my lamps, listening to my AOL music station via my iPhone app, sipping a delicious (if not overflowing) cup of mocha, and starting to make plans for the new year on the 2-year calendar one of my coworkers gave me for Christmas.

And since I've been full of quiet contemplation as I reflect on this past year, here is a collage of some of the recent social events I've enjoyed with my company.

The world through a haze

Christmas day. This time of year provides quite the whirlwind of activity. A long car ride to see the family, an overnight stay in a hotel, then the long car ride back home.

This morning, I realized the one joy of seeing through a haze. Being a wearer of corrective lenses, my sight is quite blurry without either my contacts or glasses. Usually, the haze is quite annoying as I squint to try to will my useless eyes to interpret the shapes in the room.

The one time I don't mind the hazy blur is in a hotel, particularly when showering. I don't want to see or be privy to anything that might linger from previous visitors.

That being stated, Merry Christmas to all!

They might as well be children

Ah, the joys of a paid holiday from work...unless you have children. I had made the decision long ago that kids just aren't for me. To sate my nurturing instinct, I have pets. Why didn't anyone tell me that dogs are kind of like kids.

Let me rephrase: Piper is like a kid.

Tokie is the perfect little dog. She sleeps late with me, she doesn't demand to be walked, and she's really cute and loving. She acts like the pekingese part of her mix.




















Piper, although a wonderful dog, is quite different. He's demanding, energetic, and loud. He acts like the poodle part of his mix.

So, here I am, relaxing on my day off. Trying to catch a few more winks on my day off. Cliff is such a dear and takes the hyper one downstairs while I cuddle with the little princess. Ah, I have the bed all to myself.

Suddenly, a white puffball is sailing onto the bed and landing in the middle of my stomach. Licking my face, laying on top of me, and otherwise, demanding that I get out of bed.

I guess he's excited that we're home to play with him. I just didn't realize I had gotten a child in the form of a poodle.

"Have You Lost Weight?"

Two people have asked me this question over the last couple weeks. My response is always, "Well, I doubt it." I mean how can I possibly lose weight when I'm lured by the call of the drive-thru window? How could I possibly look thinner around Christmas time when the treats are plentiful? How could someone ask me such a question when my idea of exercising is lifting the remote to the TV or the footrest to my recliner?

But then I started thinking about it. My new job does allow me a lot more movement than my old job. The office space is much, much bigger, and I'm constantly having to get up to walk somewhere far from my desk. Not to mention that we have an office on the first floor that I have to visit occasionally. I take two sets of stairs in the morning: one from the parking lot and one up to the office on the 2nd floor. And my duties include making books, which means wandering all over our supply room to get the appropriate materials plus sometimes packing everything away to ship.

At my old job, there were so many times when I couldn't even leave my desk to go to the bathroom, let alone get up and stretch. I was pretty much tethered to my desk chair and computer, unless summoned by the boss.

So, I suppose it is possible I've lost an ounce or two. I just find it interesting that anyone would notice.

***Update: 1/4/12 - Definitely no weight lost. I've actually gained some. Oh well, that's how the cookie crumbles...particularly when it crumbles in my mouth.***

2011 Nears It's End

It would have probably been more fitting for me to start my blog on January 1. After all, it's right around the corner. I could have waited to expound on all the resolutions I plan to start and ultimately, fail. I could have posted all my thoughts at 12:01 a.m. But I've never been a person to hold strong and fast to predictable convention. So, I'm starting my blog today.

Instead of offering some cheesy "Welcome" message as my first post, I instead will say "Thank goodness 2011 has been a much better year than 2010". Why should I welcome anyone to my blog? This blog is for me, to help me pinpoint significant dates, thoughts, complaints, praises, etc. Of course, I don't mind if anyone wants to take a peek into my mental mind. After all, I am offering it up on the internet instead of my own personal desktop diary.

So, back to my thoughts on 2011. So many good things have indeed happened:

• First and foremost, I got a new job. A place where I'm happy and content and with people I look forward to seeing everyday. Who could ask for anything more?

• I've taken on the care of some wonderful little animals that I was introduced to this year: sugar gliders. They are such funny little critters, and I love watching them jump around the room. These animals defy gravity...most times.

• I finally got to meet Cliff's dad and stepmom when we took a mini-vacation to Chattanooga. It's nice to get some insight into the family of one of the most wonderful men I've ever met.

• That being stated, obviously, I'm still with this most amazing man. We celebrated 6 years in April with steak and comedy.

• I met a sweet little stray kitty that has renewed my faith in a cat's ability to be sweet and loving. No offense to Bingbong, but Misser Kitty has him beat in the sweetness category.

• Through my most wonderful job, I've gotten to work with a couple of wonderful charities, and I look forward to more work with them in the future.

And while there have been some crappy moments of the year (stressing over the old job, having a hurt foot, nursing Bebe back to health after she hurt her back, needing stitches because of a faulty wine glass), I'm choosing to remember all the good times 2011 has brought me.