Catching Up, Bitching and Praying

I cannot believe it has been over a week since I posted, I have not really had any time to visit blogs either.  Well, the weather got crappy so of course I got called back to work!  It has not been too bad, actually the cool weather has been a blessing since I am working at a landfill.  Funny I was thinking the other day how grateful I am to be pursuing a different career path.  When I first got into the construction business, I loved it.  Working outdoors, in the fresh air and sunshine, being in nature, one with the earth so to speak.  I worked for an awesome company with bosses who were willing to give me a chance and believed in me more than I think I believed in myself!  The last three years I have worked in a refinery and now a landfill, not really what I signed up for.  The main reason I was pursuing an alternative career was because as a woman I have not really had much success at this line of work.  Work like a dog, get laid off.  I have taken every single class that is offered at the laborers training center.  I am certified in grade checking, pipe laying, advanced instruments, advanced grade checking, asphalt placement, blue print reading, on and on. Yet still, I always get put in the position of flagging traffic, or some other menial, boring, mentally draining task.  I cannot wait until I get my degree and hopefully will be working as a nurse.  I will have the certification, the sheepskin so to speak.  I will not be given certain tasks to do simply because I am a woman.  I am not dogging on the construction business I have made pretty good money most years and there have been those bosses that I would have once in a while who have given me opportunities to have more responsibility.  The construction world has come a long way, but unfortunately only because they have been forced to through affirmative action.  There are bosses out there who will treat you as if you were their sister or friend.  And then there mostly those who see a woman as being put on this earth for one thing, and it sure as hell is not to work side by side doing a "mans" job.  "Why don't you go home and bake some cookies lady?"  Wow, how many times have I heard that?  Geez, I did not mean to go off on such a tangent about this stuff!  I am very grateful to be working and bring home a decent paycheck, but I long for the day when my job is much to me than just a paycheck.

On a slightly different note:  I goofed off all last weekend, hitting tons of meetings going out for ice cream etc. in lieu of my anniversary.  I also had commitments make coffee and chair at two meetings.  I am still waiting for the day when someone signs to make coffee for the new meeting can actually fulfill their commitment.   I have been making coffee almost every week since July.  But I said I was willing to do it when I started the meeting so I really can't bitch, but geez, can someone sign up and then full it?  There I go bitching again!  Attendance has been sort of dwindling but we have been having awesome meetings. Last night there was eight of us and my friend  "K" was chosen at the last second as the speaker.  The chair/coffee got sick at the last moment.  I asked my sponsor to chair and informed her that she needed to pick a lead, (one hour before the meeting)  it all worked out great and we all heard a wonderful message!

  The point I was trying to make here was that I got caught with my pants down as far as school.  I procrastinated on my studies thinking I had all the time in the world, then got called back to work with lots of studying left on the table..  My professor told me I could take the test at a later date(sweet). So, I have been studying all morning because I have been too exhausted all week.  I really wanted to try and take the test this afternoon, but there is no way.  I had a meltdown over the whole thing and decided that Monday would be a better choice to take it.  I really wanted to get it over with today, but if I care about passing it, I have to go with Monday.  So that brings me to right here, right  now, (big sigh). 

Hubby is away for the weekend and it is me, doggy and kitty.  I was invited to a Halloween party tonight but I really want to stay home and relax, (and study).  I am going to take some time out an d meet my sponsor for dinner.

Last but not at least my dear sweet bloggers, if you have read on this far, please go just a little bit further.  So far everything has been all about me, but I have not been that self absorbed as it sounds, really.  Someone has been on my heart all week and that someone has been our friend Pam and her Mom, so if you are reading this please take a moment and breathe Gods spirit, in and let God's love out and think of Pam and her Mama. 

Thanks so much for listening.

Patty