I hadn't forgotten about this blog, I just don't use it as evidenced by the last post being four years ago. So much crazy stuff has happened since my last post.

In August 2016 I was fired from my government job of ten years. I hated it and should have quit. I wasn't surprised I got fired, but I didn't know it was coming. I signed up to be a substitute teacher, but before I could take any jobs, I got a job at the new grocery store in town, and ended up working there for a year. I also got hired at a local children's museum as an educator. Before I started, Kiddo and I went on a vacation to Walt Disney World with my mom, sister, and brother-in-law. On our last day there, his mother died. We dropped him and my sister in his hometown for the funeral on our way home. My first day at the museum was the day after the 2016 election.

I loved working at the museum, but then there were massive staff changes. Just before my one year anniversary, my supervisor quit. I stayed on as the only educator but grew increasingly unhappy with how the museum was being managed. At the end of May 2019, a collegue informed me she was leaving her job as the education coordinator at a local government agency. I applied and got the job.

It's been a good year, almost. I'm glad to have insurance through my employer again. I had to pay a lot for insurance when I was at the museum because it was a non-profit and they didn't offer it. The trade-off is waiting a whole year before I can take vacation. Kiddo and I were supposed to travel to New Zealand and Australia in June with our Girl Scout troop, just when I would be able to take vacation. But, surprise! Coronavirus has shut everything down. Kiddo's school has been on e-learning since March 13. I've been working from home since March 25.

2020 started off with so much promise. At least we have the election to look forward to in November.

Wow, it's been a couple years since I posted anything here. Just wanted to check in with myself, because I know no one reads this but me. Actually, I was looking for a something and thought I might have posted about it here. I was wrong.

Commuting Naturalist

I commute one hour to and from work. My route is mostly state highway through towns and county roads. I usually find myself keeping an eye out for wildlife. On Friday's commute home I saw:

a mourning cloak butterfly (second one this week)
turkey vultures
Canada geese
turtles sunning on a rock
a groundhog
a water bird with a gray bill, possibly a scaup
a large white bird, dead (didn't get out of the car to investigate, but it's the second one I've seen in this spot in a couple years)

On further thought

I've still been thinking about the Disney on Ice experience. Obviously, it really bothered me.

I realize I was irritated by the particular girl, but angry that none of the adults in her life, her parents or her Girl Scout leaders, expect more of her. Shouldn't they?

I expect my daughter and the girls in our troop to always do their best, dream, set goals, work to reach there goals, and better themselves. That's what Girl Scouts is about- to create girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

Respect myself and others

Our little family attended Disney on Ice recently. We love all things Disney and have attended two previous Disney on Ice shows. We got our tickets at a discount through our local Girl Scout council. Part of the event was to attend a sleepover with other Girl Scouts after the show.

Punky and I arrived before the designated check-in time. We had some trouble with our tickets, as did a few others, but this was quickly fixed. After dropping off our sleepover gear and coats, we had plenty of time before the show. Even hubby arrived in plenty of time before the show. We got our popcorn and drinks, found our seats, and settled in to enjoy a fun evening of Disney magic.

The show was great for the first 45 minutes, then this huge group of late-comers finally showed up to disrupt the magic. They took forever to get seated, blocking our view. I don't think they ever settled down. Some of the older girls kept running up and down the aisle. The younger girls couldn't sit still. It was quite distracting.

At one point, I'd had enough and politely, but curtly, asked the girl in front of me to sit down and be still. This only made her more annoying. She kept turning around and staring at us. I asked her to turn around. She glared at me and asked me if I could be nicer. She said she was a Girl Scout. I said I was, too. I wanted to ask her if she knew what it meant to be respectful of others. Clearly, she didn't.

I always want my troop, and especially my daughter, to set the example of what a Girl Scout is. I expect them to "live by the Girl Scout Law." I felt this group, but especially this particular girl, wasn't respecting herself or others. My impression was that they were a group of poor kids not used to going to public shows. I felt sorry for them. They didn't know how to behave and they were dirty. There was a distinct odor coming from their row of seats. I wasn't mean to her or anyone in her group, because they are my sister Girl Scouts, but I felt the adults could have had the decency to show up on time and expect the girls to behave.

I'm glad this group of girls was able to attend the show, though. It was an experience many of them may not have had if it were not for Girl Scouts. I like that Girl Scouts enables girls to experience new and different things, and exposes girls to all kinds of people. Punky got to see that not all Girl Scouts are like her or her troop mates. Some come from wealthier backgrounds, others from poorer. There were girls of different races at the show and spending the night together as sisters in Girl Scouts. I love that Girl Scouts share a common bond.

Middle of January

I haven't kept up with daily journal entries, but I have managed to read more regularly, thanks to my lovely new Kindle. Thank you, Oma!

The end is near

January 4, 2013 - Christmas vacation is almost over for me. I have the weekend left before I must go back to work. Punky goes back to school on Tuesday.  I had big plans to get a lot done, but haven't really completed much. I still haven't finished Dad's socks!

I spent three hours today with three other troop leaders planning a first camping trip for the Brownies. It should be a lot of fun. I hope the girls think so! Afterwards, I delivered three cookie sale packets, bought some socks at TSC, had lunch with Punky, then went to the library to use the wi-fi. I got a Kindle for Christmas from my in-laws. We were at the library for about four hours.

When we got home, I fed the cat and dogs. Our dinner was Amish egg noodle with butter and Parmesan cheese. I ran the dishwasher and called my mom, then played a game I'd download to the Kindle with Punky. What I should have been doing was entering Girl Scout registrations online. Must do it before bed or midnight, whichever comes first. I'm not tired, but we've been staying up too late all week and our schedule is off.