Two Left Feet

In case I haven't said it before, I really, really like my job.  Much of what I like is that no two days are ever the same.  I also like the fact that I get to attend some pretty cool events.

January 4 I had the opportunity to attend a cool event - literally, it was about 20 degrees outside.  The new long term care center was being "topped off" (last steel beam placed atop the structure), and I was a part of the communication team present at the event. 

I had been prepped the day before as to how to dress.  We were told to dress warmly and to wear boots...it is an active construction site, after all. 

The morning of the 4th I got myself and the kids ready, and on my way out I remembered that I needed a scarf, hat and boots.  I ran upstairs to my bedroom closet and grabbed the items and rushed out the door.

My boss and I were going to ride together to the event, so when he said it was time to go, I grabbed my bag from underneath my desk and pulled out my blue boots.  Actually, I pulled out the left boot and put it on.  Then I reached in the bag and pulled out another left boot. 

I was suddenly struck with the hilarity of my tremendous oversight (haste DOES make waste).  In my rush, I grabbed two blue boots.  Unfortunately, their mates were at home in my closet.

I started laughing.  My boss asked me what was wrong and I showed him.  He chuckled.  I thought I may be able to get away with it until I slipped the second left boot onto my right foot.  I stood up and glanced down. 

I started laughing uncontrollably.  My boss was laughing, too.  I was shaking I was laughing so hard.  I felt like such a dummy.  Maybe anyone else would have slipped their dress shoes back on, but I decided to grin and bear it. 

Down the hall we walked.  "Hey, this isn't so bad!" But, I couldn't quit giggling.  Then a woman approached us.  I watched as her eyes glanced down at my feet while we were walking.  Her glance turned into a very obvious stare.  I busted out laughing.  I told my boss, "She totally noticed!"   

We made it to the construction site with plenty of time to spare.  I hung out (ahem, hid) in the car until closer to start time.  Once out, I took advantage of the snow and tried to cover up my left, I mean my right foot.  I was sure people noticed but was convinced they were all too nice to say anything.

When I got home I showed Chip how ridiculous I looked.  He just stared and said, "It looks like you have a prosthetic leg." 

Of course that made me giggle.

Lunchroom Drama

Okay, this is getting ridiculous.  After I paid for my lunch yesterday, I quickly scanned the cafeteria in search of a seat.  Lo and behold I saw another girl, about my age, sitting by herself.  I jumped at the opportunity to befriend this lone eater.

I approached her table.  "Are you all alone?" I asked.  No reply.  Then I said, "Well, I'm just going to plop myself down here with you." 

I am not kidding.  She gobbled up the rest of her food so fast it created a vacuum - I thought she was going to suck up my napkins.  I'm exaggerating of course, but she did cram her food down in about 90 seconds. 

Without ever speaking a word to me, or even acknowledging me, this girl got up and left.

I just laughed.  What gives?  I am totally NOT offended my lack of lunchtime companionship, but seriously, am I that weird? 

I will keep you posted on my quest to find a tablemate.

Work, work, work...

Well, I've officially been a work-for-pay Mama for two weeks now.  I have been BUSY!  The hardest part about working outside the home is figuring out how to keep up with all the stuff I have to do at home.  My initial thought was, "Hey, we're not going to be at home as much.  Maybe we won't mess up as much."  Apparently my logic was flawed because we are still just as messy, and it stays messier for far longer than usual.  It's certainly a balancing act; however, I have discovered that we can indeed go a week without washing clothes.

I thought my feet were going to totally give out on me the first two days.  These ol' dawgs have been wearing flip-flops and house shoes for over three years, so imagine their surprise when I started wearing heels.  Yikes.  That's all I'm gonna say about that. 

My first week entailed me meeting-and-greeting pretty much anybody who's anybody.  I pounded the pavement of Buffalo for hours (hence my feet's anger) going hither and thither. 

I've interviewed people.  I've written a corporate announcement.  I've written a feature story for the corporate website and newsletter.  I attended a simulcast.  Oh, and I attended a two-day class, and I'm proud to say I am now a certified change agent.  Impressive, I know. 

My "favorite" memory is from day three, the first day I was on my own for lunch.  I braved the hospital cafeteria.  Boy, talk about feeling like a freshman on her first day of high school.  After figuring out what to get, I paid, and then entered the dining room.  Wow.  It is seriously set up like a school cafeteria: tables along the side and then a mass amount of tables in the center.  And it was packed.  And there were no empty tables.  It was at this point I wished I had gotten my lunch to-go.  I found a table with one woman at it.  I sat down at her table, diagonal her.  She never looked up.  Shortly after I sat down, she left.  I've braved the cafeteria a few times since then.  I'm usually the one (the only one, mind you) sitting by herself.  LOL

I think this job is an excellent fit for me.  Yes, it will keep me extremely busy, but I am confident there is nothing that can be thrown my way that I can't handle.