tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28523475461420660622024-03-13T22:32:45.076-05:00chickinthehamLulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-7033139280299672092010-08-24T17:51:00.000-05:002010-08-24T17:51:00.359-05:00New Homeless BlogI realized that my posts about the homeless didn't really belong with my crazy ramblings on other things so I created a separate blog for them.<br /><br />I've tried to spread the word but just in case you don't know where to find it and you are interested, my homeless blog can be found here.<br /><br /><a href="http://onthestreetsintheham.blogspot.com/">http://onthestreetsintheham.blogspot.com/</a>Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-66304541310585043732010-08-18T18:36:00.000-05:002010-08-18T16:44:36.053-05:00Outrageous<div>So I told you I’d be blogging more about the homeless but this post is not about the homeless. This post is about the new football coach in Florida who is reeking havoc on my life. I’d tell you his name but I don’t want there to be any chance of my blog being found by people Googling him. But, I guess I can tell you his initials. They are J. F. He went to the school I currently work for. Then after he graduated, he had his first coaching job here under a head coach who just happened to be the son of the head coach this guy is replacing in Florida. I’m telling you… this man is killing me! I sort of want to ask God…. Actually, I have asked God, to PLEASE let me know if any of the current students here might reach some sort of fame in the future just so I can go ahead and index the heck of out of them. Every day we seem to get new research requests concerning J.F. Adding to the hubbub is the fact that his first game as a head coach will be against us, the team he had his first coaching job with. We actually had the school in Florida call us and ask that we find a picture of J.F. coaching on the sidelines here wearing one of THEIR team hats. How outrageous. How many coaches wear hats for other teams during games? Surely, that is illegal. Me and my department head searched all Friday afternoon for a sideline picture of him with or without a hat. Then when we found a couple, we told them what they found and they actually said, “Nah!” Outrageous!!!! We’ve had other similar requests as well from journalists… as if we knew 25 years ago we needed to specially note this man in our records. We may be a smaller school but that doesn’t mean we can document photographically in various settings every single person that has come here. Again, Outrageous!!! The coach he is replacing is also an alum and a former coach of here. Over the years we’ve had many requests for pictures of him as well but none this crazy.<br /><br />I probably shouldn’t…. but, I so am going to share a picture with you. </div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506868322918023170" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8LPzwc6wAy0/TGxTkCRhQAI/AAAAAAAAAfA/X83KU48_dMY/s400/Bowden+coaching+team.jpg" /><br /><br /><div></div><div><br />When I first saw this picture, I thought, “Awww they had a coach picture day with a prescribed outfit and they bought him the wrong pants and he has no choice but to wear them.” Sort of like what happens to bridesmaids. No matter how the dress fits, you have to wear it. But, as I continued to find pictures I realized that no, in fact, J.F. just seems to like his pants tight. Notice the shirt as well, I think he may have been a player in more ways than one. </div>Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-89943708716053721682010-08-16T18:22:00.001-05:002010-08-17T09:39:42.608-05:00TThis past Sunday I also spent some time talking with T. It was his second Sunday to be down there with us. He’s a mid age/older man. Maybe in his 60s. It’s so hard to tell sometimes. Life on the streets is hard so I don’t know if he really is older or if he has just aged faster. Anyway, he seems to be a quiet man. I myself am quiet. I really struggle to talk to people sometimes so I tend to notice that in other people and sort of feel a connection with them. Last week, I had welcomed him and asked him how he found out about us. He answered with short answers. Not much for me to follow up on. But he smiled when we talked a little. <br /> <br />Yesterday I was excited to see him under the overpass waiting on us. I wasn’t sure I’d get to see him again. I went over to tell him how happy I was to see him again. He just smiled. Then he quietly got his lunch, sat and ate it. He doesn’t seem to separate himself from others really. He’ll sit nearby and listen and grin from time to time. <br /><br />Right before we were leaving, I wanted to talk to him again. I’m really not good at talking to people. I cannot stress that enough. But I wanted him to know he mattered to me. So I went back over and asked him where R was. I had learned he followed R to the group last time. He said he didn’t know and that he really didn’t know R that well. I said, “Oh.” Then after a minute he looked at me and said very quietly, “I really don’t like myself.” I was a little startled and not sure I heard him correctly because I really do have a hard time hearing people sometimes and he speaks very softly. So I stepped closer to him and said, “What?” And he repeated it. I asked him why. He said he didn’t know but he just didn’t and he didn’t know anyone. I’m telling you, heart to heart conversations and counseling sessions are not my thing. They really are not. You know how girls are known for being all emotional and caring…. That’s not me. I somehow missed that girl gene. I was somewhat lost. I told him that no matter what he thinks or feels that he matters, that he matters to me and that God loves him. He mumbled, “I know.” Then I pointed to the group and asked, “do you know any of the other fellas here?” He said no, so I turned to C and Q and introduced them to him. Q, immediately started talking about his shoes and invited him to follow him back to his place, the parking deck, to see if he had some shoes that would fit him. I could have hugged Q’s neck for that. I wasn’t sure that was the thing to do really but I couldn’t imagine living on the streets and feeling so alone. Before they left, one of the guys for the ministry prayed for Q and C and he prayed for T too. I heard him but I think T had stepped to the side so I’m not sure he heard it. I hope he did. Prayer is so powerful and it’s always nice to know people are praying for you. I assume that’s true even if you don’t know if you believe. <br /><br />If you read this, feel free to pray for T and pray for the people in the ministry and me to have the words to encourage T. He broke my heart this week. I don’t know his story but I want him to be happy. I want him to have hope.Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-55833059076803446402010-08-16T17:47:00.000-05:002010-08-16T17:48:39.515-05:00Friends on the StreetYesterday, I was back down at the overpass. We had a lot of people go down there with us this time. I think there were 12 of us that ended up down there. When we arrived, there were 7 or 8 men waiting on us. Most of them were new or newer faces. By the end of the day we had served about 15 men under the overpass and the leftovers had once again been delivered to others on the street. So, I’m not really sure how many men were fed yesterday. <br /><br />Last week I told you that Q had been attacked and unable to come to lunch. But he showed up yesterday with a smile and a hug. He and C stood together. They always seem to stick together. I asked them how long they had known each other. C answered me, “About 8 months.” That’s when C moved into the parking garage that Q had been living in for 2 years. They’ve been looking after each other ever since. Q was quick to tell me that when he had been hurt last week, C walked with him to the hospital. And when he got out the next day, C was there waiting for him. Then C spoke up and said that when he is sick, Q is there to take care of him. (C suffers seizures). Q said, “We’re all each other have.” I really like the two of them. I wanted to tell him that’s not true, that they had me. But, I didn’t say that because I don’t know that it’s true. I do care about them but I show up for a couple of hours each week, when I can. They don’t really have me to count on in all circumstances. I am such a small part of their weeks. And, of course, that is what makes JM, who heads the ministry, so special. He is committed to the men he meets on the streets. He is their advocate. They really do have him to count on. <br /><br />One of the things I’ve learned over the past few months is that people really aren’t that interested in the homeless. Sure, they are interested the first couple of times it is mentioned but after that, they lose interest and seem to wish I’d shut up about it. But I can’t. What I see happening is so amazing and such a blessing. How can I not talk about what I see God doing? People get hungry every week. People need to know they matter every week. The blessing of being a part of that is huge and there is plenty to go around so no, I don’t think by showing up one Sunday that I shouldn’t have to show up again for a while. I’m not saying that’s true for everyone. People have different callings and passions but that is the sort of attitude I get sometimes, that maybe I should put other things ahead of my street friends from time to time. But, I don’t want to and honestly, I’d miss them. I’ve thought about C and Q a thousand times since I saw them yesterday. I look forward to seeing them next Sunday. <br /><br /> A coworker and I are planning the Sunday meal in a couple of weeks, She, RC, has been going down there on Sundays too. She has become such a blessing to me. It’s so wonderful to have someone to share experiences with, who understands them. Like C and Q, RC and I have a common bond by spending our Sundays under the overpass. When someone on the street tells me a story, I know I can tell RC and she will understand and know what I mean and where I coming from. I am so grateful for her. We asked C and Q what they might like the day we cook lunch. Q asked “What?” then they both just laughed and said whatever we cook will be fine. I don’t guess anyone has asked them that question in a long time. We still don’t know what we’ll cook for them. I’m pretty sure it will involve beans and maybe some banana pudding but outside of that, I guess it’ll be a surprise for C and Q.Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-69377190182083639502010-08-09T20:44:00.001-05:002010-08-09T20:44:34.314-05:00Out from under the Overpass"The exclusion of the weak and insignificant, the seemingly useless people from everyday Christian life in community may actually mean the exclusion of Christ; for in the poor sister or brother, Christ is knocking at the door." Dietrich Bonhoffer, Life Together<br /><br />After we had given the men their lunches and their needs bags on Sunday, we had a lot of sack lunches left. So after leaving the overpass JM (the leader of the ministry) drove us around the streets looking for other folks who looked in need of a meal. A couple of the fellas from the street had hopped in the back of the truck for a lift. We stopped by a brick warehouse that appeared to be abandoned. There was a large cardboard box laid out on a porch. An older man was there sleeping. I was told, “that’s his place”…. Meaning that’s his home. JM knew him, and said that he could talk your ear off. I wondered if that was a God given talent… (If you are an introvert like me you see that as a gift) or did he spend so much time alone that when he found someone to talk to he just couldn’t shut up.<br /><br />After leaving there we went by a gas station where a couple was standing. JM knew them too. He said they were bad news. They refused our meals and we left quickly. They were most likely up to no good and perhaps smoking some crack. I don’t know and I don’t want to know but they made me nervous. JM told us a little more about them in the car. They definitely live a shady lifestyle and I never want to come across either one of them alone.<br /><br />From then on I kept glancing to the back of the truck to see how our friends reacted to people we saw. If they smiled and waved I felt better. Finally, we stopped by Lynn Park. We gave a guy a meal and as soon as we did we had about 50 people rush the truck. PW, one of our friends in the back of the truck said, “This is trouble.” We gave all the food we had away and there were still 20 or 30 people who didn’t get a lunch. We gave them bottled waters. Many of the folks at the park were not happy with us for running out of food. They scowled and turned their backs on us. J a new fella who had come to the overpass for the first time that Sunday was in the back with PW. He gave his sack lunch away to one of the men at the park. That was such a generous thing to do, but the recipient didn’t even thank him. Stopping by the park was a very eye-opening experience for me. In a weird way the Overpass in its own way was a comfort zone for me. I know the rules there. I know the people there. And although I have a healthy respect for what it is I’m doing there and my surroundings, there is a sort of comfort in it. But seeing another side of homelessness was shocking and even more heartbreaking. I wonder if there is hope for some of the people I saw there. How trapped are they by that lifestyle? It is a sort of community. Do they want that lifestyle? It’s very dark there, I almost never want to go to that park again. In the past, for various reasons I’ve gone through that park several times. I will never go there again without being more aware of my surroundings, without knowing that the girls on the corner, they aren’t just hanging out. It’s a very scary, heartbreaking world. I’m sad for them. I dont know what to do bur pray for them.<br /><br />Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-29486281336413219412010-08-09T17:37:00.000-05:002010-08-09T17:37:00.901-05:00C's BirthdayI feel there is so much to say about what I’ve seen happening in downtown Birmingham since I started going down on Sunday afternoons. I don’t know that I can actually catch you up. <br /><br />But I will tell you about yesterday…. beginning with last Sunday. Last Sunday after helping serve the food I was sort of standing around awkwardly. I’m an awkward girl so that’s what I do. Since I’m also kind of a quiet girl…. That adds to the awkwardness. So I was standing around being odd when R drove up on his bike. R is one of my favorites. Is it odd or bad that I have favorite homeless men? I feel like I shouldn't but I do. R is a younger fellow. I’d guess him to be around 25. I have no idea what his story is but I like him and as soon as I saw him drive up, I was happy. I knew I’d have someone I could say hello to. He came over and gave me a hug and we talked about sunglasses, ice cream, and the weather. Then he started talking to another fella from the ministry team. So, I went over to say hello to a couple more guys from the street that seem to hang out together. Q and C. Q is probably in his 40s. I don’t know his story either. But, he is always nicely dressed. He’s dirty but his clothes are nice. So, Q tells me that next week (yesterday) was C’s birthday. At that point, C took off telling me about how he was going to walk proudly down the street on his birthday and drink a big ol’ Dr. Pepper. He went on and on about that Dr. Pepper and he seemed excited that he would get to spend his birthday with us.<br /><br />So… now to yesterday. Knowing how important it was to C that it was his birthday I had gotten him a button that flashed Happy Birthday, and a small cooler with some ice and Dr. Peppers. I put it in a grocery bag with his name on it so it would blend in with other bags we had for the fellas. A coworker of mine had dropped off some cupcakes from Savages for him as well. I also kept those out of site for most of the afternoon. People get jealous of what the others get so I didn’t want to cause trouble or hurt any feelings. But as soon as we got to the overpass where we meet on Sundays I went over to give him a birthday hug and put his birthday pin on him. Immediately he started talking about his birthday Dr. Peppers. He said he had walked to the train station and paid $2.50 for a bottle of Dr. Pepper that morning only somehow he lost it. I think he said he put it down to do something and went back and it was gone. But he seemed happy to have gotten a few sips from it. Q wasn’t able to come to the overpass yesterday because earlier in the week someone who stayed in the same rundown building had beaten him up and injured him. I can’t imagine living in such a way. I worried for Q and felt sad for C because even his friend couldn’t help him celebrate his birthday. KM (a lady who heads up a lot of what the ministry does) walked over and joined us. She asked him how his birthday was going. He said it was better now but he had woken up sad because he was alone and didn’t have anyone to celebrate with. So KM told him we had something for him and we gave him the cupcakes and I told him about the Dr. Peppers. We sang Happy Birthday to him and he was so pleased and excited. We gave him so little and it meant so much to him. I think the only way I would have looked that pleased and excited is if someone had decided to pay off my mortgage.<br /><br />R was also there again. He came over to me and very proudly showed me his “new” tennis shoes. These were shoes the ministry had been able to get for him from a local running shop. They were used but they looked brand new. R was so grateful for them. He told me that when he picked up his needs bag last week that he had no idea he’d have shoes in the bag and that he was so excited when he saw them. He had needed some new shoes for at least a month. I’m a little worried I didn’t respond to R as well as I should have because I was so focused on C and his birthday. I wouldn’t want to hurt R’s feelings for the world and he was so appreciative. <br /><br />These men are such blessing to me… These men are homeless… and they bless me. I sort of wonder why that is. How can I be blessed by their poverty? Am I blessed because they are grateful to me for little things? That makes me feel like a bad person. But, I do care about them. I think about them all the time… When I’m outside and hot, I wonder if they’ve found a cool place to rest. Even today in the public bathroom at work when I saw toilet paper on the ground and a smudge on a door, I snarled a little at it not being perfectly clean and then I thought about my homeless friends and how they didn’t have bathrooms like I do let alone toilet paper. It’s a different world for some people. And most times we all just walk by and not even blink at it. It’s amazing.Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-5794543538791350642010-08-08T19:04:00.001-05:002010-08-08T19:04:46.854-05:00HomelessFor several months now I have been going downtown with a local ministry to help serve lunch to the homeless and to help meet their needs. The ministry's goal is to build relationships with the folks on the street, to tell them the good news of Christ and to offer them hope and a way out if possible. <br /><br />Someone this past week thanked me for my servants heart. But I don't have a servants heart. I have a greatful heart. I cannot believe God has blessed me with the opportunity to see Him in action each week. Granted he is in action around me all the time. But this is an out of the box, away from the church building... In the dark sort of thing... Where people don't really have hope. They don't have a bed or a change of clothes. They don't even have a toilet, much less hope for a better tommorow. They are sick, they are addicted, they are without work and they need to be loved. They need to see God's love in action and they need to know of a hope in Christ. They need to know they matter. That Christ paid a high price for them and they are of great value... <br /><br />And each Sunday I am privilidged to see the Love of God at work. It is an awesome blessing and I am honored beyond words to be a part of it. And I can't keep from talking about it. <br /><br />So maybe instead of annoying my friends as much with these stories on twitter and facebook maybe I'll blog them. I can't promise to stop the tweets but I will try. <br /><br />And fair warning, I am not above taking the clothes off of your back for my friends downtown. Especially if you happen to be a man. Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-10396715246120126532010-06-07T17:03:00.002-05:002010-08-11T11:53:39.166-05:00Billy:The Early YearsLast night I watched Billy: The Early Years. It’s a movie about Billy Graham and his life leading up to 1949.<br /><br />The movie’s all right nothing worth spending your time on if you have no interest in Graham’s life or ministry. But, I found it fascinating.<br />If you follow me on various social medias you know I struggle with hearing about the politics that go on in my denomination. The struggle is getting worse. For a while I thought, well I still believe the Faith and Message but I’m not so sure that’s true anymore… at least not the current version of it. And the more I hear denominational leaders talk the more frustrated I get. But what does that have to do with Billy Graham? Well, I don’t think I REALLY realized he is considered to be a Southern Baptist. What fascinates me is that everyone knows Billy Graham. But I don’t know anything bad about him. I don’t know anything political about him. The controversies in the Southern Baptist Convention go back decades and decades as does Billy Graham’s Crusades. How did he keep out of all the Baptist politics? How did he keep out of national politics? How did he keep his calm about it? Did he really keep his calm? I don’t actually know much about him. But I want to know if he did, how’d he do it?<br /><br />I heard a clip from his 1949 Los Angeles message in the film.<br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9Jj-ZRjbIKM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9Jj-ZRjbIKM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />That was in 1949! A decade after Scottsboro and 15 years before the 1964 Civil Rights Act. How did that fly in 1949? After hearing this, I Googled him and found that he took down the ropes of segregation at his crusades. And yet, people still came to see him. Ministers in other places were kicked out of their churches for suggesting “everyone” was welcome… Our SBC history is not always pretty. How’d he do it? I really want to know. How do you stand up and not end up in a fight? I really want to be able to believe and not be caught up in the politics.Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-30476952018955937872010-03-23T18:20:00.000-05:002010-03-23T18:20:00.041-05:00Dragons Exist, I Know.Twice today, by two unrelated people........ Very Very unrelated.... I have been told this quote by G.K. Chesterton<br /><br /><br />"Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist.<br />Children already know that dragons exist.<br />Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed."<br /><br />The first time was by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Stephin</span> Merritt when he was talking about <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYZ909R_PXU">Coraline the Musical</a><br /><br />And the second time by Justin Taylor when he mentions Andrew Peterson's books in a <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/03/23/on-scary-stories-and-the-moral-imagination/">blog post.</a><br /><br />Should I take that as a sign? Am I going to be facing dragons? Am I going to have to kill a dragon... or do I just need to read more fairy tales.... Gosh, I hope it's the latter. I don't know that I want to be killing dragons. That sounds scary.Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-44846685083440624912010-03-17T17:32:00.001-05:002010-03-17T17:36:11.010-05:00Another Genie ExampleAnother Genie example<br /><br />a lady comes in, asks me if I'm "so and so." I am not "so and so". Then she looks at the person next to me, are "you so and so?" No, she is not. She looks back at me, "Well perhaps you can help me anyway.<br /><br />She starts to go into a spiel sort of like the one I posted before. In the midst of it all, I hear XX church records. I stop her and say where is XX church located because I know for a fact that at least 3 churches exist in Alabama with that name. She tells me and I find the records for that church on Microfilm. These records date back to 1851.<br /><br />I put the film on the reader printer and sit her down in front of the reader machine. She asks, "how do I find XX church?" I tell her, "It's right here." She begins to scroll through the film, "Yes," she says, "But I need the records for XX church." I again reply, "This is the records for the church." I can ascertain, this lady is not Baptist and I think she is just a little confused about what sort of records are in a church record. So, I continue, "The records for what each church has in the Baptist world varies. There is no set standard for records." So she says, "I need the records for XX church." So, I point out the top of the screen of film where it says 'XX church 1856" and she says, "Oh!"<br /><br />Then she says, "now where are the birth records for the church." I explain, "Birth records are never included in Baptist church records." "Oh," she says, "Well baby baptisms should work, where are they?" I explain that in the Baptist denomination, we do not practice infant baptism. So she says, "at what age is a person baptized?" I answer, "It varies. People are baptized once they become believers and want to join the church." She says, "At what age is that?" Again I say, "A person is baptized after they have made the decision to follow Christ" "Ohhhhh," she says and then asks, "Well what happens to the babies?" I tell her nothing happens to the babies. So she asks, "At what age will the baby be baptized. My great-grandmother was very religious, she must have been baptised when she was very young." So I explain again, "once the baby has grown up and made the decision that they believe then they are baptised." She says, "Ohhhhhh. Well in general, what age are people when they are baptized." And again, I explain that the age varies because it is when the person has made a decision and that happens at all ages. And then she said.... but Baptists grew out of the Presbyterian faith." I said "I don't know about that but the Baptist faith dates back at least 400 years." She said, "Yes. it does." And then she said, "Well these records won't help me."<br /><br />Seriously... that conversation happened today. It went on for an hour. .... At no time, did I exagerate.... I'm not even kidding a little.Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-40122423173625823242010-03-15T18:38:00.001-05:002010-03-15T18:38:00.313-05:00A Genie ExampleJust yesterday someone asked me about Genies and specifically if they were loud in the library and if that is why I didn't like them....<br /><br />Again, I respect <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Genealogy</span>. Really, I do. And some genies are EXCELLENT researchers. I will defend them any day.<br /><br />But, typically Genies are a handful to deal with. They are very demanding. They don't always understand that my one purpose in life is not to do their hobby for them. They will push themselves right in front of a student to get help and hog the microfilm readers.<br /><br />AND they will talk to you for hours about their family... whether or not you want to hear about... because honestly, who does want to hear about it. No one!<br /><br />As an example, this morning I went to check the department's email. And there was a genie request. This request is actually very very simple. Not pushy at all. This person simple wants to know if we have a couple of sets of church records.... But, their email is forever long.... And it made me laugh... because in life and in cyberspace this is just how it goes in dealing with a genie. A question that should have been very short... is super long...<br /><br />(Proper Nouns have been adjusted... you understand.)<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">I understand <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">SU</span> Library has a collection of Church records.<br /><br />I am trying to locate the Minutes of two old <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">MXXXXX</span> County Baptist churches:<br /><br />1. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">SG</span> BAPTIST CHURCH in founded c1830s.<br />2. U BAPTIST CHURCH of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">GXXXX</span> AL, founded 1868.<br /><br />In researching my family in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">XXXXX</span> County, I learned <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">SG</span> BAPTIST CHURCH was originally constructed of logs and located on Airport Road in west <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">XXXXXX</span> County. The cemetery at this location has a number of my ancestors buried there.<br /><br />The earliest burial at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">SG</span> was my 4g-grandfather, NOEL <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">TXXXXXX</span>, who died in 1837. He was a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">RevWar</span> patriot.<br /><br />We believe Noel <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">TXXXXX</span> was one of the founding members of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">SG</span> BAPTIST CHURCH. I hope your archive contains Minutes of this church.<br /><br />At some point it disbanded and members formed the U BAPTIST CHURCH OF <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">GXXXXX</span> in 1868. It also has a cemetery adjacent to the church. I hope your archive contains Minutes of this church.<br /><br />Since Baptists do not baptize infants (like the Catholic churches), the only way I can find information on my relatives is in the historic church Minutes.<br /><br />I was fortunate to locate Minutes of a Mississippi Baptist Church in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">BXXXXX</span> and learned my 3g-grandfather was a charter member in 1813!! The Minutes also contained a great deal of information on his family.<br /><br />Please check your Baptist church historic records and archives to see if you have the Minutes of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">SG</span> BAPTIST CHURCH (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">XXXXXX</span> Co) and U BAPTIST CHURCH OF <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">GXXXXX</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">XXXXXXCo</span>). If so, please advise how I may get a copy or microfilm.<br />Thank you.<br /></span>Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-46340794931628136642010-03-12T18:10:00.000-06:002010-03-12T18:10:00.102-06:00Controversy abounds.... again.Those of you who know me well… and if you are reading this then you probably do…. Anyway, you know I don’t always handle things in the best way possible. I especially don’t handle controversies within my denomination. I’m usually not even smart enough to understand them but they drive me crazy just the same.<br /><br />For this reason, I rarely read state convention annuals Or the Southern Baptist Convention annuals…. Even though they are at my finger tips because I know… I will react.<br /><br />I thought I was getting better through avoidance. But today, my supervisor suggested that I read the front page of our state Baptist paper. I knew this was going to lead to no good for me…. Yet, I went and read the article anyway. Even before I picked it up I knew my “very favorite Baptist” would be involved. I even sort of asked my supervisor about this in order to brace myself… She clearly didn’t understand what I was asking because she said this was a whole new bunch of folks…. It turned out not to be like that… it was a new group but using some of the same ol’ folks. Gah!<br /><br />I never handle this stuff well. Never ever ever. I hate it. Then I start posting snippy remarks on Twitter. (I do have my account protected now for that very reason).<br /><br />Here’s the link to <a href="http://www.thealabamabaptist.org/print-edition-article-detail.php?id_art=14591&pricat_art=1">the article</a> that upset me this time….<br /><br />Now again, I’m not really smart enough to have an opinion. But, that never stops me. Reading the article made me wonder… well maybe change is good… even if it hurts… that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t move forward. So, that’s me trying to be open minded. But mostly… I just think the same power grubbing man is again stirring up trouble. I’m not for it… It will radically affect each state’s on convention. Even my own job could be affected. (just in what I do… not if I have one) Why do we listen to that one man so much?<br /><br />Mostly though I regret… that I keep getting sucked into finding out about this stuff… Ignorance could be bliss. I want to be ignorant… my opinion doesn’t count anyway, Just let me be.Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-6850806220761687822010-02-12T12:43:00.005-06:002010-02-12T12:49:45.196-06:00It's Snowing<div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437430277889821314" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8LPzwc6wAy0/S3WiB2yTioI/AAAAAAAAAeA/8FbLRqW_17U/s320/snow2_10.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div>It's been a while since we had a really good snow in my neck of the woods. We've had a couple of dusting so far this year which has bee highly unusual.</div><br /><br /><div>Today is one of those dusting days. It's not as much snow as we wanted but beggars can't be choosers and it's a nice novelty for us. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 285px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437430513737597954" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8LPzwc6wAy0/S3WiPlYzBAI/AAAAAAAAAeI/ilA0Tq8pyKY/s320/snow2_10C.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I work at a school with a beautiful campus. It's just as lovely covered in snow. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437430764722309426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8LPzwc6wAy0/S3WieMYNyTI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/zv6maWCbObA/s320/snow2_10B.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>BTW one of the students here nailed me with a snow ball just as I took the above shot. I'm not really sure why.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-49836409815828211862010-02-09T13:11:00.004-06:002010-02-09T13:31:27.885-06:00Hope for MicrofilmOkay so work is a little stressful right now. Everyone has stress at work... I know. Right now it's very stressful for me. I cannot tell you that and just leave it there.... I feel the need to explain why... a little.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So, back in June we lost a staff member because she had a baby and wanted to be a stay at home mom. Great for her. Can't blame her. But due to the economy, she was not replaced. Last year the work we have been doing for the Baptists increased by like 200% and the year before that like %164 percent. That's a lot of work and basically we all fell apart a couple of weeks ago.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yesterday, the Microfilm Lab Technician and I were laughing hysterically as we looked over some reports and we came up with the need to create ourselves a ribbon. You know, like the Aids Ribbon... or the Hope for Haiti Ribbon. Clearly, no one at SU is dying so it might be in bad taste but we had some film that wasn't being used and made this.<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436325511508280162" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8LPzwc6wAy0/S3G1P_TYQ2I/AAAAAAAAAd0/YyP3SCO4Olc/s400/hope4MF.jpg" /></p><p>If you look closely... very, very closely you will see that is the St. Clair News Aegis from 2008. And you know... as an additional FYI, I made that strip yesterday and I burnt my finger doing it. So, that ribbon does, in fact, represent pain in my life... just not death. </p><p>If you would like to have a Ribbon in Support of the Special Collection and Microfilm Dept. one can be made available for you for just the price of shipping and handling.<br /></p><br /><p>Hope everyone else is doing well. </p><p>Love ya<br /></p>Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-17443934005676405702010-02-04T13:30:00.003-06:002010-02-04T13:44:47.328-06:00Hello, it's meSo, I have about 15 mins to spare for a lunch break and I don't want to spend it being productive.... I really want to spend it at JoAnn's Fabrics and officially I could BUT, I want to keep the ol' lunch break down to 15mins soooooo.... in thinking what could I spend it on, I remembered my ol' blog.<br /><br />I don't know why I don't blog anymore... I think it really might be that twitter and facebook have just taken over my life. That's my theory anyway. Plus, my days at work are pretty busy, that's not new, I just have no desire to be on a computer any longer than I have to it seems. And even though I have that app on my iPhone that will let me blog from it... I find that my hand cramps up if I do too much typing on it... so, I just don't blog so much anymore. Besides, all I seemed to do in those last posts was complain... that's no fun.<br /><br />I've become addicted to knitting. I love it! My library director got me started then a few friends fueled the fire. I don't know how I lived my life before. I can only do scarves, hats and such but I'm good with that. Oddly, enough I actually have no desire to progress to sweaters. I think that would kill my love for knitting. I foresee myself working hard on a sweater only to find that the sleeves were different sizes OR worse, it didn't fit. There would be no joy in that.<br /><br />So that's why I wanted to go to JoAnn's... I want more yarn. Wish JoAnn's sold hot dogs like Sam's Club..... or I wish Sam's Club sold pretty yarns. Oh well....<br /><br /><br />If you have favorite yarn/knitting sites let me know. Here's one of mine<br /><a href="http://vickiehowell.com/index.html">Vickie Howell</a><br /><br />Time to get back to work...<br />Love you all.Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-5535768353178019472009-11-18T20:36:00.001-06:002009-11-18T20:36:22.916-06:00Bad FortuneToday I went out for Chinese with a friend. We went to Mr. Wang's. Sooo yummy! Before we left we got fortune cookies. Her's read, "you will soon vacation on sunny shores." that was perfect because she really and trully is soon to vacation on Sunny Shores. She's headed for Myrtle Beach in two weeks. With that in mind, I opened my fortune with great hope and expectation... Sort of hoping to see something about a handsome stranger or a lottery. Instead, It read, "you can make a name for yourself in medicine." What? That's odd for a random fortune right. So I thought about it. I'm a humanities girl. I've no knowledge of medicine or any related fields. I don't see how I possibly will ever have that knowledge. So I thought about it some more and realized there are other ways to make a name for yourself in medicine without being a doctor or a researcher. We all have heard of Lou Gehrig, right? Not a good way to get your name known really... Sooo here's hoping none of you ever have Lulalu's disease. Fingers crossed! If it happens, blame Mr. Wang. <br /> Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-79703275194453216112009-11-10T00:23:00.001-06:002009-11-10T00:23:03.427-06:00TestSo, I just got a new app on my iPhone that should let me blog from it. I hope it works so that I can peck new blogs out one letter at a time. Soooo does it work? Let's see...Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-22893556775175558552009-10-12T17:45:00.000-05:002009-10-12T17:45:00.423-05:00Backsliding into BeadingI've let another month go by without updating. Maybe I just don't have a life anymore... Maybe Twitter really has replaced my blog... maybe life has gotten busier and I just don't have the time. I'm not sure what my reason is. I sort of miss it. But, when I think about blogging I can't think of anything to talk about anymore. I'm not quiting the blog. I'm just saying.... somehow I can't seem to keep up with it. I used to feel it was very healthy for my mental state. I think it still would be, if I'd just keep up with it.<br /><br />Life at the Library has been crazy. I feel as though I have ranted about that enough. I don't plan to rant on it again. I think I'm doing better with my drugs. I have hope anyway. I still miss the drugs I was on last year.... I don't miss the migraines though. I keep telling myself the migraines aren't worth going back.... but I really do miss that drug. And it's not like I don't get migraines now... I've started popping my migraine <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">meds</span> as if they were candy. Not good when it's $23 a pill. I had a bad headache yesterday but I stubbornly decided not to take the migraine medicine. I survived... didn't make it to church but I survived. But all the migraines aside... life is picking up, so I'm happy. I even started beading some more yesterday. I didn't mean to. It just sort of happened. I needed some brown cord so I went into the bead section of Michael's I resisted the beads there but then when Michael's didn't have the cord I needed I went to Hobby Lobby. They were <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">having</span> a sale on findings... so I bought some. I made two fabulous necklaces last night. That's how I describe them anyway. Then today, on my lunch break I went to a different Hobby Lobby and bought some beads... cause they were on sale. I really need to learn to control myself better. I probably have $1,000 worth of beads. I seriously don't need to be buying more. Must learn to say no. I think I went about a year before back sliding. Maybe I can learn to stay away from the bead sections of stores and use what I've got. I'm going to try really hard.<br /><br />Oh, but I did get the brown cord I needed today at Hobby Lobby... hence the reason I went. Wish that hadn't been having that sale. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dadburnit</span>! I think I could have resisted otherwise. But, after all, I am my mother's daughter. I can't resist a sale.Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-3252487765232285222009-09-10T17:46:00.000-05:002009-09-10T17:46:00.551-05:00Sinuses and the Sovereignty of GodAs you know… I’ve been a little crazy lately. Not like woohoo let’s go have some fun crazy but maybe needing to be hospitalized crazy. I don’t bring this up to complain more about it… well, I am going to sort of complain… but what I was really going to tell you was that I sort of decided in order to get a grip I need to go to bed earlier and I need to focus on what I know to be true. So, anyway I’ve been trying to focus on Bible verses that are about God’s greatness. My memory is bad so I can’t share these with you but I will tell you that lately I’ve been reading about God’s providence and how even our trials are a part of that. Now that might sound a little depressing but the little devotionals are really more encouraging than depressing. Anyway, like many people my sinuses are suffering lately. And this morning as I was driving into work with a sinus headache and thinking I might have a hairball to cough up I sort of wondered, are my sinuses really a part of the glory of God? Listen, God is great but I am sort of having trouble believing that sinuses have anything to do with it. Kind of like mosquitoes. Seriously, are mosquitoes bringing glory to God? I just don’t see how. I believe in the Sovereignty of God but I can’t picture God creating the heavens and the earth and the creatures on it, only to take a moment to give humans sinus problems…. Like maybe God finished up the 6th day with all His wonders and then thought … for a little bit or irony I’m going to make some humans react badly to it and then take a rest. I mean what would be the purpose of sinus problems or allergies for that matter. I’m not questioning God… but in a way I am wondering what has gone on here. It seems a little crazy if you ask me. But don’t ask me because I’m not God. I’m just thinking about it. Clearly I don’t understand and when you consider the whole mysteries of the earth and all… I’m not sure that sinuses are the one thing I truly want to know about. It’s just odd…. And a big ol’ pain.Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-3102431800477135852009-08-29T16:25:00.001-05:002009-08-29T16:25:00.716-05:00Going to See PierceI’m going to see Pierce Pettis tonight. You have no idea what a miracle this is. As I mentioned yesterday… I love him but I’ve been wavering about actually going to his concert. This was for various reasons. But, yesterday it did start hitting me… you can’t miss him. Then this morning… it was almost like a panic set in… my mind was racing, “You have to see Pierce.” But, who at this late notice would/could go. I have a couple of Pierce loving friends but I wasn’t sure that was a possibility for other various reasons… I have another friend who likes coffee shop type concerts only… she is responsible and this show isn’t starting until 9. Why must concerts start at 9? Not everyone is young you know. Some folks have to get up early. The one person I thought I might could ask at the last minute… has to be at work at 5 a.m. in the morning… a 9 o’clock show where Pierce probably won’t even take the stage until 10 is no good for her.<br /><br />I have another friend that likes Pierce but I think for his reputation’s sake he doesn’t hang out with me so much… only if it’s a group activity. I don’t know how else to really say that or…. Maybe he just doesn’t like to hang out with me. Hmmm that might be the crueler (more likely) scenario. Either way, I knew he was not an option.<br /><br />But, I just got an invite from a couple of folks going. Holy Cow! I so didn’t see that coming. In a million years, I didn’t see that coming. That’s why I call it a miracle. We could call it the Pierce Pettis miracle of 09. I think that would work. J I also think it is proof that God loves me. That he sees even the smallest desires of my heart and takes note. I absolutely talked to God about the concert earlier this morning… asking that I wouldn’t have to regret not going so much and now I’m going. There is no other way to spin it. Seriously, me going to see Pierce tonight is a God thing. I must call it as I see it. Thank you God for loving me.Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-15225319897342042292009-08-28T17:35:00.000-05:002009-08-28T17:35:00.717-05:00Music in My LifeIf you know me, you know I love music. I have no talent for it; but, I love it. There are so many great concerts coming to town this fall and so many new albums coming out that I simply don’t think I can keep up. In fact, I know I can’t<br /><br />I’ve already resigned myself that I will not be going to all the concerts. Even If I had friends to go with me to them all… I just don’t think I can pull it off. I just can’t be out that much. I need sleep. I need peace. I need quiet… this is who I’ve become. So I’ve got my concert goals… These include, Eric Peters and Bill Mallonee coming in a couple of weeks; Derek Webb towards the end of Sept, NeedToBreath in October, and MuteMath in early November. After that… I’ll be done. I’m also going to the Glory Reveled concert this Sunday… I sort of wish I could back out of that one… not because it won’t be good… but because I have to work on Saturday and I’m just whooped. <br /><br />Saturday night the great Pierce Pettis is in town. I’ve made no plans to go see him. As you know, if you’ve been reading my blog for a while. I love Pierce. He is the author of one of my 5 all time favorite of favorite songs. He wrote God Believes in You. Such a good song. I’m a little sad I’ve no plans to see him. I wonder on Saturday if I’ll be plagued with regret. I think I will. Oh well, what can you do?<br /><br />As I mentioned earlier a lot of great new albums are out as well…. I’ve bought none of them. As you know, I’m sort of a recovering hoarder so I’m trying to think twice about physical things that come into my house. BUT that doesn’t mean I can’t get them on my iPod. My new music needs include Pierce Pettis, Matthew Mayfield, Eric Peters, Mindy Smith, MuteMath, Derek Webb, Dave Matthews, Mitch McVicker and NeedtoBreath. Feel free to give me iTunes gift cards for Christmas… or Labor Day. In the mean time I would like to thank PASTE for having <a href="http://www.pastemagazine.com/action/paste_station?station_track=track_10902_1907&mode=normal">Mindy Smith’s</a> new work streaming. Hoorah for them.Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-6513912694374319022009-08-27T18:19:00.001-05:002009-08-27T18:19:00.362-05:00After the Break DownLast week I had a break down. I think it was good for me… I mean it was a little ugly but it was good…. Because, I went a little bezerk , my blessed student workers stepped in and stepped up and helped to uncover me from research questions and unprocessed rat poop infested boxes of stuff. We got a lot done. Sadly there are still over 1600 boxes of unprocessed stuff. But for now about 2/3 of them are out of my sight… out of sight out of mind… breath normally. No problem. AND I’ve got no ASAP research requests plaguing me AND my supervisor is back. I don’t have to be totally responsible anymore. When I don’t know something… the buck doesn’t stop with me… I have someone I can ask. Hoorah!<br /><br />Two library school student interns started this week. I’ve spent a great deal training them. I have such high hopes for them. Seriously, it’s like a weight lifted off of my chest. They are going to be processing fools for me…. And oddly enough… they are excited about this. Yippie…fresh, bright-eyed, eager help. I hope I don’t destroy that for them. I hope they still what to be archivists when I finish with them. I am not trying to kill them I promise. I haven’t even given them rat infested boxes… Although, I will be… hehehe… but only so they see the good with the bad. But, I started them off with fantastic things.<br /><br />One intern got this collection of family diaries going back to the civil war. The detail about the war in them is fantastic. It’s an unbelievable collection. We have a lot of stuff that dates back to the Civil War… but oddly enough… they don’t often always mention the war. Strange but true… I guess I hardly ever talk about what is going on now a-days in the stuff I write… In 100 years, if someone read my journal, what they’d learn is that I was a nut… they’d get nothing about what is happening over in Iraq and Afghanistan.<br /><br />Anyway, that is an update on my state of mind. In case it’s not clear… I still have a mind. My ovaries are still kicking my butt though… I grow more and more bitter about them. It seems their sole purpose in my life is misery. Blayck! Anyway, I’m still trying to figure out what to do about that and the medicine. I guess I will just try and be grateful that I don’t have other problems, like I’m not going to turn into that sad, lost, and crazy young man that killed all those poor folks at VA Tech. You don’t have to worry about that happening in my life.<br /><br />AND God is good!Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-13276512675345002182009-08-19T18:41:00.001-05:002009-08-19T18:41:00.087-05:00off the deep endWell dang it! just blogged and my computer ate it! It was a lot of complaining really so maybe it's for the best.<br /><br />The lost blog ended however with this youtube clip. It sort of sums my life up right now... only this fellow is a bit more upbeat. It's from the BBC show Black Book. I swear if I was a bookstore owner and not a librarian... this would be me! Only, I don't think I'm that grumpy... just overwhelmed. I went off the deep end this morning and sadly I have no intentions of climbing back up at the moment... no point.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuX2UgYjtTE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuX2UgYjtTE</a>Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-3564502718461573012009-08-19T18:40:00.000-05:002009-08-19T18:40:00.839-05:00Must Cut the Crapoh wait... here it is.... the lost blog... read on at own risk.... or just read the prior entry titled off the deep end.<br /><br />This morning I went off the deep end. I think I'm happy there. That can't be good, can it? The staffing in my department was cut this summer and then 3 weeks ago my supervisor went on Family Medical Leave. It's killing me. I think it would have killed me already except I had 3 excellent grad student workers assisting me. Only 2 of 'em left me this week so I'm down to 1 in the afternoons. I swear if one more person walks in and says to me... it seems quiet. I'm going to hand them one of my many research requests and say... I need this ASAP because so and so needs this ASAP. Thanks. The requests have been coming in about 2 an hour. That is also killing me. THEN on top of that we got in 2 new collections. One has 17 boxes, the other 8. Did either person think to give us a ring and say, "hey I'm sending something your way." Nope! I called one person back giving her the benefit of the doubt that she had tried to call my supervisor, who of course is out. She didn't call...what she said was, "oh in the future should I let you know first?" Excuse me but, "Duh!" Oh Oh, then I went over to the President's house. (he's a good man) and he wanted to know who the portrait was of hanging in his house. Yeah, I had no clue. Why did I have no idea, because I wasn't privy to that information when it left. Thanks boss... nothing like seeming stupid in front of the President.<br /><br /><br /><br />I decided to do an Internet research on the drug I'm taking because seriously... something is just not right. It turns out my drug causes depression, weight gain, exhaustion, mood swings, (something you don't want to know), and hair loss. Out of those 6 side effects... I've got 5. So, at least I have something to blame everything on... Drugs! I'm back to my Rock, Paper, Scissors game. I guess I can stay on this drug, try something else that totally freaks me out, or go back to my old drug. If I go back to the old drug I guess that means I'll be going back to living a fourth of my life with a migraine. Right now, that seems the better option. But, I think that might just be because I've not been having as many migraines as I did before. I'm not happy with these options. It doesn't seem fair... but what I've learned over the last month or so is that what I want doesn't matter. I really knew that before... I'm just grumpier about it now.<br /><br /><br /><br />Clearly, I'm having a bad week/month.<br /><br /><br /><br />Anyway, this morning I went off the deep end. I came very close to just walking out. I think God must have somehow stopped me... I need my job. It's just a little overwhelming right now, not enough staff, no money for supplies, and stuff is coming in faster and faster and dirtier and dirtier... I don't know what I'll do if I get one more box of rat poop. I swear I might be the first archivist to lay down the law on what kind of condition I will accept people's life work in. Please people, take some pride!<br /><br /><br /><br />S0 back to this morning... I had a patron in the collection who knew absolutely nothing about how to do research and 2 more ASAP research requests. As I roamed the closed stacks digging through stacks of crap... (and I mean that literally sometimes) I lost it. But, then after about 30 mins of craziness I think I came up with a plan. CLEAN UP THE CRAP! I wonder if my supervisor will be good with that when she gets back... I know, you'd think who wouldn't be?... but there are circumstances here that might be beyond my control so it sounds more doable than it might be. At the very least, it sort of feels good to have a plan. I've already got my lone student assistant left working on some of it. And, when I get another... guess what he is going to be doing. Long term projects are stopping and we are all going to be cleaning up the crap.... otherwise I think I'm doomed to eventually end up under my desk nonverbal... but then that could happen with or without the crap...it's sort of a toss up now.<br /><br /><br /><br />OH OH but I must share this with you cause this sort of fits me right now... and my ability to do customer service. (only his attitude might be a little better) It's from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuX2UgYjtTE">a BBC show called Black Books</a> and I'm loving it.Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2852347546142066062.post-67559327968680755042009-08-12T17:22:00.002-05:002009-08-12T17:22:00.754-05:00Random StuffSoooo I'm still tired. I haven't been good at going to sleep this week.... not too bad, but not good. I need a vacation even though I just got back from the beach about 4 weeks ago... and I am still hating my ovaries. HATE THEM! Any questions? Probably not... but that's good. Doubt I'd answer. But seriously... oh, never mind... Anyway, I sort of feel I can make this confession because I'm thinking that at most 3 people read this... and they are all chicks. So, what does it matter.<br /><br />On the other hand, I'm not all grumpy or depressed or anything... I'm still loving hanging out with my little niece and nephew. LOVE them! Monday night, picked up G (he's about 16 months old) he put his head on my shoulder and patted my back. What in life is better than that? NOTHING!<br /><br />Oh and in my humble opinion, I make the yummiest green beans ever. Not the healthiest, but the yummiest... also, these are good for lazy people. Not a lot of effort. Good stuff. I fry 'em up in a skillet in butter, honey and garlic. Sound good? no matter, cause they are!<br /><br />How's that from randomness?Lulaluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501024084791559805noreply@blogger.com1