Keeping busy

The weeks seem to fly by. Already again, it is Friday. I've spent the last week working on classes, sitting in classes, and cleaning the mansion. Last night I found enough energy to get some papers organized and shredded. So much to do in my apartment, so much I want to get rid of or donate. Hopefully I will gain more energy as I get more used to being back in classes.

Well, tonight I've got some fun to look forward to - the History grad students are going to a Milwaukee Admirals hockey game. Should be lots of fun!

Hugs, Christi and Lily

Madtown trip

Good morning!

Yesterday I headed to Madison to help Matt put together some of his furniture and get some other family errands done. I had been called in to Per Mar the night before for Bob Uecker's Spring show...designed to get Brewer fans fired up for the upcoming season. A good, funny show that I wouldn't have minded paying a couple of bucks to see. And the fans were the really great - no smoking indoors, no crazy drunks, just great! Anyway, I was a little tired on Saturday, but not too bad and was still able to make it to Madison in good time. Defensive driving would account for the fact that I made good time because I was trying to avoid swerving cars.

Anyway, Matt and I got a bookcase together before Mom got there and then Mom and I did the bulk of the building another bookcase and the TV stand, complete with two drawers and five rolling casters. The shelf Matt did on the first bookcase wasn't so good, so he tried to not build as much as possible, LOL. The work went fairly smoothly so that we were able to go have brunch at a local pub called Avenue Bar (but it had the more homey-feel of a pub to me). We had some problems getting our order in because of lack of waitresses and no one seemed to notice we were there. The food eventually came and it was very good. After that, we headed to the West Side.

We went to the US Cellular Store. Our contract was going to expire and although we didn't really need new phones, it is cheaper to purchase phones when you renew your contract than during the rest of the two years (like $100+ cheaper). I got a slider phone with a good camera and the ability to put a memory card in it. All of the phone accessories are compatible with the ones I already own, yay! Mom and Matt didn't get quite so fancy with their phone choice, which was actually my first pick until I found out it didn't have the memory card capability. This stop took awhile, so I headed to Famous Footwear for a pair of new black sneakers (mine were holey enough to see my socks) and Old Navy for a couple of new Mansion-worthy sweaters (two pink, one purple, one grey, and all on sale or clearance!). One must wear warm clothing in the mansion because of all of the drafty windows, doors, etc. After a short stop to Bath and Body (where I got a free massage from their demo massage chairs) and Target (Matt had to get shower rings for the curtain he got last August but never put up), we headed over to Barnes and Noble for their DVD sale (everyone seems to be having a sale). I found out that the grocery store next door was giving away 2-liter bottles of 7-Up's new flavor when I went there to deposit some money at the bank branch in the store. Awesome! Mom and I stayed in the car playing with our new cell phones while Matt went into Best Buy to get something for his computer.

It was rather dark by then, so we went back to Matt's for some pumpkin cheesecake-dinner before heading our separate ways. It was a long drive back for me, being rather tired from the full day, but I did make it home. I took pictures of Lily with my new camera before I headed to bed.

This morning was awesome because I got to sleep in! Now that Christmas is over, there are two of us weekend coordinators with only one Sunday shift. In order to be fair, we are alternating weekends. Unfortunately for me, this is my primary job so it means a loss in pay. However, the bosses are trying to get me extra hours in the week to compensate, like cleaning and office work.

I am unsure about my summer-future. With the economy tanking, I'm concerned about not being able to find a full-time temporary summer job. Most companies are changing to part-time permanent jobs in order to decrease costs. Who is going to want to hire me for such a short time? I doubt there will be more work from Per Mar because people are cutting back on concert-going and other activities. I hope the mansion will figure out its budget soon so I know what I can do. If it comes down to it, I'll go back to AmeriCorps Schools of Hope summer school, working in Madison during the week and commuting back to Milwaukee on the weekends for Mansion work. It would be a long, difficult summer, but I could probably make it work. And I would have enough money to cover the bills.

If anyone has any ideas for me, please let me know!
Have a happy, relaxing Sunday!
Christi and Lily :)