Pushing the limits

It's been over a week since I posted. I am not sure that I really
should now as I am TIRED and a bit discouraged, yet not.

The biggest thing is the push for Andrew's Eagle. It would not be so
bad if the main character cared half as much as I do, but, shall we
say a lot of encouragement is needed. We now have 3 short days to
finish. It has been an exhausting few days of hope and despair.

Andrew's Eagle project went pretty well.

The first day of distributing flyers was a bit rocky. First, the
delay of doing a flag ceremony for the Virginia Tech tragedy. The
flag is still hanging limply on it's staff at half mast. Day and
night, Unlit. The Bishop who likes to instigate these flag
ceremonies apparently does not know that the flag should only be flown
at night if lit and I do not think ever plans or arranges bringing in
the flag. Not that a flag ceremony is at all a bad idea! After the
flag ceremony was "meal planning" for the weekend's overnighter and
yard sale. Using the term "planning" somewhat loosely. Eventually,
Andrew organized the troop into teams and assigned them distribution
areas. The younger Scouts were mildly unruly and inattentive, as
usual. One of the things the Eagle candidate can learn is to
appreciate what his leaders put up with. Ice cream sandwiches at the
end of the evening.

Since we didn't get all the territory covered, Andrew asked the Scouts
to come back the next evening. Typically and thankfully, it was our
core older Scouts who showed up. They got to right to work. They were
fun and high-spirited, but they did the job. Sweet and Salty bars.

The following week, the whole troop collected books and books and
books. As well as stuffed animals, games, and some toys and sports
stuff. It started out a bit slowly. As the boys walked past house
after house without any donations, (and it happened with each team, I
think), spirits sagged. But then, a donation! and another. There
were 4 or 5 teams of boys, each with a car (and adult driver - duh).
Every car came back LOADED. I couldn't see out any of my windows.
There was barely room for me.

Next day, Young Men's activity was sorting, counting and boxing. Over
500 National Geographic - especially requested ; ) . Another 500 or
so dictionaries, encyclopedias and other reference type books.
Hundreds of picture books, literature books, and books for older teens
and adults. Boxes and boxes and boxes!

Scoutmaster Pena drove Andrew and the donations to Books for the
Barrios in Concord - was that on Miriam's birthday? I think. I am
glad that he did. I would have loved to have done it or gone along,
but one can't have everything. More books are coming in. I may yet
get my chance.

Getting the project done opened the way for the real challenge of
getting an Eagle. PAPERWORK. The project write-up and Eagle
application. Rare is the boy who eagerly launches into all that.
Andrew has not been that rare boy. Gentle reminders fall unheeded.
Swift kicks work somewhat better, Sometimes repeated doses are
required.

Meeting with the curmudgeonly District Advancement Chair produce
progress thoroughly irrigated by tears. Mostly mine, but not only.
DAC is tough love.

Lost (or never received ) blue cards, sloppy record keeping by past
troop advancement chairs, missing documents. I took 4 hours dock time
from work to go to Council office with Andrew today to look for
documentation we neither had at home nor in the Scout closet. NOT
THERE. A lecture from the DAC on bad record keeping - never mind that
the gaps or poorly kept troop records are from when I was in a
completely different calling. I broke down crying in the council
office more than once, pulled it back together, hit another wall and
crumbled again. Not pretty.

The DAC, who was also at the office then, frustrated both of us as he
tried to tell me without saying it outright that if the Troop Chair
could update Andrew's records on-line and get them printed in the
Council office, it would be acceptable documentation. One reason it
took so long to penetrate my dense, discouraged brain (besides the
lack of sleep staying up half the night before helping Andrew with his
project book) was that also the night before while Andrew and I were
meeting with the DAC, I thought I had asked if that record would stand
and he said that we needed other documentation. At long last, I
updated his records using their computer. By the time I had that done
DAC had left.

He called me at home to make sure I understood, to let me know he
didn't want to hurt me, and to assure me that he didn't intend to let
a boy suffer because of adult mistakes.

There is still the matter of a merit badge for which we have the
advancement record , but not the blue card. He wanted us to track
down the merit badge counselor. We have not been able to identify him
for sure. We think it is one of our Bishop's Counselors, but he has
been incommunicado. I know that for my one shining Eagle (my good
friend who honored me as his mentor) we were able to dummy up blue
cards based on advancement reports. DAC is waiting until all other
avenues are closed before giving us the go ahead on that.

Andrew has 4 letters of recommendation in hand - 2 Bishop's counselors
(one who is also a brother-in-law), a sister and me. 3 letters are
required. We are hoping for more - especially the Scoutmaster who said
he MIGHT have time to write one Sunday and the Bishop.

It has become Saturday. I got the whole E minus whatever thing messed
up. Monday is the deadline. The end is near - however it comes out.
Andrew is struggling with application requirement #6 "Attach to this
application a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a
listing of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp,
community, or other organizations during which you demonstrated
leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this
service". I dare not retire to my chamber as he is prone to get tired
and discouraged and quit.

He needs to get DAC's approval on his project book and application. A
Board of Review must be put together. Does the Board have to sit
before his birthday??? I think so, but I am not absolutely sure.
Maybe the paperwork just has to be accepted.

Not much other news.

The former Mr. Cotton has lain 5 eggs last time I counted. I have
only removed 1 which was obviously past its prime. I haven't had
time or energy to worry about her mothering problems.

I have been trying to start work a few minutes early and staying after
work half an hour each day to try to earn time for when we visit for
Acadia's baptism. I will be burning 16 hours, but not eligible for
vacation time until August. I had 5 1/2 hours. Now I have 1 1/2. If
he gets his Eagle it will be worth it. When Seminary ends, I can
start work earlier to earn time.

Work has been busy. Fun with checks. For 2 1/2 days we didn't have a
check printer. I prepared batches of checks to print and stacked them
up. Finally the check printer was repaired or replaced. Now the new
check signer is ruining a few checks every batch. So I have to key in
a reversal for those checks and key in a replacement. One person's
check has been ruined twice so far. Also fun with fielding phone
calls. There has been a rash of calls either asking why we haven't
paid - then I have to research to find out if we have or not, relay
the information, and request copies of canceled checks. In one case
we found that a multi-thousand dollar check had been cashed by the
wrong vendor. I am waiting for my super to come back from doing
training (on the Orange Coast, poor thing) to find out what we do with
that mess. - or asking why we did pay them - which usually takes brief
research. One day I am not sure I did one other thing but answer
calls. The phone just wouldn't stop.

My beginning Financial Accounting Class the State sponsored is O-VER.
HOO-RAH! I should have a solid A - even though I really do not "get"
it. Done for the summer! Breathe. Then I, along with most of my
classmate/coworkers are signed up for the next one in the fall. Try
not to think about it.

Joseph is also done with his classes. One was done a few weeks ago -
it was a half term class. A's in both, I think. Way to go, Joe! I
think he is planning on a class this summer. He is thinking about
trying to mow lawns to earn money. Good, Even community college
strains the budget!

Andrew and Ben are getting ready to wind up their school year. Andrew
will be in a strange spot for him. High School over! Eagle won or
lost, but behind him. Time to make choices and decisions. I hope he
gets a part-time job. There is an arborist who brings a pair of
huskies to the dog park. Andrew loves trees. I think Andrew should
talk to the tree doctor. Transportation might be a big problem,
though.

Ben plans on getting working on his Eagle this summer. He is trying
to figure out how to get the documentation for a merit badge or two
and his early ranks. He was counting the merit badges he needs to
earn. Ben is a good self-starter and he also has the benefit of
learning by watching. Ben still is very chivalrous toward me. He
wants to spare me, as well as himself, another ordeal like Andrew's.

Andrew has finished his rough draft. Tomorrow he will write it nicely. Now we go to bed!

In the Lair of the Bear

Tuesday, Andrew met with the infamous Brother T. L., acting District Advancement Chair.

We already knew him somewhat. He was DAC for a long time, then had a health break - during which he merely cut back on his Scouting service, not quit altogether, back is back doing Advancement because his replacement suddenly quit. We mostly knew OF him in that capacity.

We have had more personal dealings with him at the Stake Center.

Our first memorable encounter was when we first started going to the Weismann Building for General Conference. Boundaries had recently changed and we were newly part of the Cordova Stake. Also, recently they had stopped broadcasting General Conference to our own building at 51st and Dover. On our first conference weekend there, between sessions, some of the kids went walking around exploring the building. A gruff Brother L seemed to think they were possibly up to no good and gave them a bit of interrogation and talking to.
He also seemed concerned out our family "picnicking" in the building. Over the years, as he has seen how well my family cleans up afterward and has seen us feed the missionaries between sessions, he has become our helper, advocate and we share friendly mutual respect. He always makes sure that the kitchen is available and makes sure we have anything we need. He sometimes comes and has a bit to eat with us.

We had heard that as Advancement Chair, he could be gruff and demanding of the boys. He cares about the boys and the program. Anything he passes has to totally up to standard. He wants everything to be just so. It is true, he seems like a growly bear, but then after awhile, if you brave it out, you see the real caring behind the roughness.

Andrew had a bit of a rough time. Nothing was really wrong with his project preparation (except his Troop committee chair - me- had overlooked an important page that needed signing), but his book was not in the precise condition Bro L wanted. Some of it, they fixed then and there. Some of it Andrew had to promise to fix.

In the end, Brother L signed it off for Andrew to begin!

The sad truth is that excellence makes people nervous.

(a quote by Jules Renard)

The sadder truth is that I am not going to make anyone nervous that way!

I am so far behind in everything!

Ok, not everything.

I think my bills are up-to-date, but not my bookkeeping.

My desk at work is pretty current - if you disregard my trouble file.

I haven't written to my missionaries or my granddaughter in weeks! Not entirely true, I have written letters and started letters - if only I had mailed them! or knew where they are now!

And the house - what a mess!

So, what's new in life?

I came home from work the other day - last Friday? - to find a note on the door of the room that is going to be mine - "The bed is finished!" The boys made an all-out effort to get it put together before I got home and surprised me! It took another couple of days before we got the mattresses on the bunk beds, but now I am sleeping in there. It is more comfortable than my old mattress. Still old, and not quite enough support. Replacing everyone's old mattresses is on my list.

I have so far only moved one dresser and most of the clothes out of the closet. There is a lot of stuff to sort out. It all will NOT fit in the new room. Some will eventually go into the "office" but that room will be Joseph's room for a while. I should sort quickly (ha!) in case there is anything worth sending to the Scout yard sale this month.

General Conference was, was always, a delight for body and spirit. How wonderful it is to be able to listen to living prophets! and they're nice people, too. We shared picnic lunch with at least a dozen missionaries both Saturday and Sunday. All the family brought something for the picnic, making it much easier for me. As it was I shopped Wednesday after work, and did prep work Thursday and Friday evenings. No fried chicken this time. What I think of as Super Salad - greens mix, with lots of options, including grilled chicken strips (I get if frozen from Costco) , and also chili and franks. Easier and well received.

I don't have time to post notes from conference. Sariah posted excellent notes, and of course the entire confernce is available online.

Andrew is actually making real progress on his Eagle project. After considering several ideas, he decided to collect books for underprivileged kids/schools in the Philippines. Which led to some concern about the cost of shipping! He contacted the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco to find out 1) could they really use books, and 2) would they help with the shipping? The Consulate directed him to Books for the Barrios in Concord who would be happy to receive the books and ship them on. He has gotten signatures from them for his Eagle Project Workbook. Still needs to get the Scoutmaster's signature. Scoutmaster refused to sign until the shipping issue was resolved. He has an appointment with the substitute District Advancement Chairman tomorrow evening. Andrew also interviewed his person for one of the Communications merit badge. I don't know if he did the write-up on it or not. He interviewed Tom about being a good father. So, he needs to do his write-up, and one more requirement - he's going to do a flyer for his Eagle project, meet with a counselor, and he will have his last needed merit badge. It's a race to the finish, but I think he will make it.

I have a cold. a not very nice one. So far, I am managing to crawl to work and, relying on the miracle of modern drugs, basically function, but my head is clogged.

Oh, yes, I adopted a couple of rescue birds. My friend, Carolyn, from the dog park sometimes walks her neighbor's largely neglected dogs and cares for them when she is away. Last time she was watching them during a 4 day absence, she heard a noise in a dark corner. A pair of cockatiels. She told her neighbor, "I didn't know you had birds! You forgot to tell me to take care of them." The neighbor responded that she hadn't forgotten, she has been leaving them, hoping they would die. Carolyn took them, of course, but she didn't really want them. Remembering how we loved Rosie, I told her that we would adopt them. One is yellow-ish white, much like Rosie, the other is standard grey. They both look thin and bedraggled, but come over to the side of the cage when someone visits them.

March 1, 2005

While Andrew and Benjamin did rock climbing Tuesday, Joseph and I did our somewhat regular temple construction visit. It is always fun when you can immediately see something new happening. This is a deepish trench leading to where the basketball court was. This is not shown on the diagrams on the SacLDS.com website, but it looks to me like there will be a fountain here. It is centered with the Mormon center meetinghouse. Trying to convey how deep this is, but failing. Meanwhile work continues at the actual temple site. Lovely clouds today.

Chess Club

Andrew, Benjamin and Esther
February 9, 2005

Ben says Esther won. She picked up Andrew's king and put him in the crocodile's mouth.

snaps at home

Benjamin
Andrew
Anna