working in the mornings

i really enjoy working in the mornings by myself.

i don't have the radio on, so it is peacfully quiet.
the beat of my fingers drumming the keyboard is the only cadence i hear.
most of the time i bring my breakfast with me,
and skim the latest news stories between bites.
as a walk back to our breakroom get a bowl and a spoon,
i am met with a euphoria of aftershave and coffee.
greeted with friendly, and still sleepy, "hello's"

thursday mornings are a treat. :)

Daughter

Around my building where I work, I have kinda been adopted as everyone's daughter.
I have mentioned before about my Papa Archie, who I truly do consider a father figure.
Oh man I love that guy.

I have this other member that comes in frequently.He is a retiree. He came in one day and we had a heart to heart. He was telling me about his niece that he is very close with and how her husband isn't that great of a guy and now she is kinda..."stuck in a rut" with money because of him but has no way of really supporting herself or a family because of her lack of education. As he was telling me this story (I gave you the watered down version) he is telling me the importance of education, making sure that I don't give up my education just because I get married and can be a stay at home mom. "You never know what can happen," he says. Lucky for him, I have wanted to go to college since I was in Kindergarten, and I have a rockstar of a mom who showed, through example, the importance of education. As he is continuing the discussion of the value of women and education he says to me, "Now, I'm telling you this because you are like a daughter to me..." Thanks Bob. :)

Another incidence happened just before the 4th of July. A member called that I know very well; as I am doing a little research for him, he tells me about his two sons and their friend going on vacation to Vegas. The friend was in the hospital because of a car accident and wasn't going to make it (obviously). The paramedics told him that if he hadn't been wearing his seat belt, he most likely would not have been here today. Then my member says, "I always tell my boys 'Buckle up! Buckle up!' And you are like a daughter to me, so I'm gonna tell you...'Buckle up!'" Thanks Todd. :)

I love my members. I love where I work because they do take care of me. They ask about school, and if I did well on my math test. They ask about my weekend and how my mom is back home. They let me know about free entertainment going on around the area because they know I am a poor college student. They will share half their subway sandwiches at lunch, or leftovers from the night before. They give me Jazz tickets, Raptors (baseball) tickets, pedicure gift certificates when they aren't able to use them. Fresh squash, and jerky from their garden and from their latest hunting experience. And they love, tease, and give me a hard time as if we were really a family. I am very grateful for my little family I have been so welcomed and adopted into. I hope they all know that I love them here. I hope they all know that they are all my daddy-o's in some way. Bless them. They are all such good, kindhearted men.

Lineman's Rodeo

Not a football "lineman."

Power company "lineman."

I deal with linemen every working day.

I love them and they are a handful at the same time!

I wanted to go support them at their little rodeo.

You are an apprentice for 3 years before an official journeyman-lineman, and those that are an apprentice have to come to these rodeo shin-digs as part of their program.

I gained a greater appreciation for what these guys do for a living.

Miss Lisa the DJ. 

I knew her daughter from middle school & she works for the power company also.

The photo's in the auction.

Rescuing a 150 lb. dummy.

this actually happens. sometimes they have had to rescue a co-worker from a job.

Our Little Danielle Friend

We have this cute little mother and daughter that come into my work frequently. Her mom one day was expressing to me how she is worried that Danielle won't know how to share. She is the cutest little blonde girl that you have ever seen and is turning 5 in a matter of weeks. Her mom says that wherever she goes people give her things and that now she is starting to expect things from people. The next day our little Danielle friend came into our office and she brought both Julie and I fresh tulips from her garden and little chocolates. Her mom said, "See! Isn't is so fun to share and give to others!" Haha! It was the cutest thing ever!

75th Anniversary!

My CU (aka employer) celebrated their 75th Anniversary a couple weeks ago!
We had lots of gift giving items
cookies
cake
and smiles to share!
Here are the co-workers/friends & myself.

Mika, Jody, Amy, Yours Truly, CJ, Sue