Mom’s new ears

Well mom don’t really have new ears, but she got her new hearing aids this week.  She had picked them up and they were not adjusted for her to hear so she went back and had to have them readjusted and finally they are right.  The last tech that adjusted them took her outside to test the surrounding sounds and I think he got it right.  She seems happy with them and she speaks so softly now.  I’m really inspired with new technology.

Then she tells me that her "friend" that she has been hanging with since both of their husbands passed last year has now decided that she doesn’t want to socialize with my mom because mom goes to "bars."  Now my mom hasn’t been in a bar in years, but she does belong to different lodges where you have to pay membership.  She does not drink and only goes to hear the music and she likes to dance.  Her "friend" said she never thought mom was "that kind of woman."  Poor mom, it hurt her feelings and made me mad.  She has done a lot for this lady, and never asked for anything in return.  If anything she was too generous with her time and efforts.  So I told her to not worry and just keep on enjoying herself.  People can be so cruel.

I am still pulling lots of overtime and it does not look like it will end for a few weeks yet.  Our employee that was having problems with received a termination from her position and management has not made any effort to fill the position.  They have about 30 days to get things in place as I am scheduled for two weeks vacation in November and into early December.  Hopefully I won’t have to cancel this trip.  I already have my flights scheduled and will lose money if I need to cancel.  Not to mention, I am going to need a vacation if we keep working like this.

Most things for now are going okay.  I must start working on the union negotiations for our upcoming contract.  We have been working under the old guidelines since June 1st, and will be working with the other two bargaining units to get this settled as soon as possible.  I know the city is going to try and keep us from getting raises, but I think they may be surprised at what we are asking.  I have been here for almost 25 years and most city clerks with less years and less stressful jobs make more that I do.  Not to mention they work monday thru friday and have all the other perks too.  All I want to do is take care of my people.  Let the good times roll.

So hope everyone has a good Sunday.  It doesn’t seem real, but on Monday would have been my dads 78th birthday.  We spent last year all together and a few days later is when he fell ill and passed away.  I sure miss that old man and often think about all the times that I complained about him and failed to appreciate him.  But he knew that I loved him and I know he is in a better place now.  Take care and God bless.