Not much makes me happier...

...than seeing my dog and how happy she is. You can't help but smile when she rolls on her back to play with her balll!

Fall

I've put it off, but but summer is long gone. Here are pictures of our fall!











Our garden with mini green houses

The Neighbor's cat on the roof











Chili Rollenos (Peppers under the green house)












Mini Pumpkin Pie











Apples from the yard

Phone follow up

I have to add that I am not at all opposed to helping out. If our admin ask me to grab the phone for a few minutes, no problem. It is when other architects ask me to do it instead of doing it themselves - example: a meeting was moved from one conference room to the other and a male architect goes to tell the people in the room to move rooms and then asks me to go and get the coffee and move it rooms. Now that male architect was already in that room, why couldn't they just grab it instead of asking me?

Overextending? Nah.

Last night as Bob and I were walking Lulu, he asked me how many committees I am now on. You see, you volunteer for one and then all the other ones want you possibly for 2 reasons. 1. No one new ever volunteers and they need new ideas and 2. They want off the committee and have to find a replacement.
My first board is my professional one (American Institute of Architects, Salem) and it was for reason number 2. The past Secretary had been doing it for 16 years. Now I know I will not because the chances of me living in Salem that long are slim. My second board position was for reason number 1. I already go to the neighborhood meetings, so why not join the board? So when the phone call came asking me if I would consider, I said sure, but that I wanted to be on the Land Use Committee component of the Neighborhood Association Board. Now, I was so eager to volunteer because what I really want is to be a part of the Planning Commission (see early post about all current members being 60 and male).
So, so far I am on two boards, but I have applications in on two others (Planning Commission and a regional Young Architects AIA position). So as we walk Bob lists these off and tells me I have to stop, I can't keep applying. But, I love being involved and it is too bad they don't pay because that would be my new job. I can't stop. I'm addicted. Yesterday I agreed to go to a meeting of another professional organization's kick-off dinner to help them brainstorm (because of reason number 1). I am not a member so technically they can't ask me to be on their board, so I see it as a minimal commitment, but today I get the contact info for Salem's new zoning code committee, and yes I'm now on it.
Let me run down one more time:
Current Positions:
2nd Thursday at lunch - AIA Salem
2nd Thursday at night - SESNA Neighborhood Board Meeting
3rd Wednesday - Salem Revised Zoning Code
Future Hopefuls:
Planning Commission - (2) Tuesdays a month
AIA Young Architects Regional - Quarterly

Overextending? Nah. Just nicely involved.

I've been promoted...

...To answering the phones. Yes, that is right I went to school for 5+ years, took 9 licensing exams, my state exam and LEED, all to get to answer the phones, prepare drawings that other people take to meetings and sit here bored. Now if I was getting paid better, maybe that would help. The thing is I can't fight it. My office has laid off 2 intern architects, 2 accounting staff and at least 4 contractors. Here is what I don't want to happen: I continue to be upset about my job so I give up, phone it in, give up my career for a family. Here is what I want: I want to love my job and my clients (I don't need to love my co-workers, but that would be a plus). I want to be torn between my work and my family instead of choosing one by default. Is that too much to want?

Pretty things, Cool things, talented friend

Anyone who still checks my blog, should take a look at this site. My friend Allison has found she has both the eye and the talent to make beautiful, fun, and affordable jewelry. Her blog is attached on the left of the page ABT Arcade or her site is here. Pass it on!