Launch approaches

So a couple months ago I did an interview with NPR:

http://www.npr.org/2012/06/25/155719933/twin-probes-to-investigate-mysteries-of-space-weather

So they only used about two of my lines, but still, it's kind of cool.  Reminds me of when FUSE was getting ready to launch and there were a lot of opportunities for interviews and things.  Yesterday we practiced doing the launch as we will be doing on Launch Day, and you know, I'm getting really excited for launch.  Yesterday may have been pretend, but it felt like I was doing the work I actually signed up to do.  Like my friend and co-worker Tim says, our first real day of work is right after the spacecraft are put into orbit.  So fun.

A new calling

I suppose it's time for a new calling.  I've been in Nursery for over 3 years.  I love being with those little kids, and playing with them.  I love having a 5 minute lesson and snack time.   But I guess it's time for me to move on.  Because last Sunday I was released from being  Nursery worker.  I suppose I should feel sad, and maybe it hasn't hit me just yet, but I've been feeling for the last few months that I've lost my 'touch' with the little ones, and had an increased desire to just sit and hold babies.  And there are a lot of babies that need to be held!

So the Bishop emailed me Saturday night asking to meet on Sunday and I tried not to be fearful (our Primary President is moving in a month or so, not that I thought I'd be asked to do that, but you know what kind of vacuums that kind of thing creates).  With all that's going on at work, I really just wanted to be released so I could focus on my job responsibilities without having to worry about subs or lessons or anything like that.  But the Lord had a better plan for me.  I was called to be a Library Assistant, with special emphasis on working with the Relief Society.  So, no lessons to prepare, have to be there but there was a suggestion that me and the Ward Librarian should take turns in the library, and a good chance that I'll be in RS almost if not every week (that's where the babies are).  As I told the Bishop, I can do that.  Plus I'll have to make sure I come to all the Thursday night RS meetings, but that's fine.  I should be going to those anyway, and they're only once a month.

Today I'm kind of cheating--I'm sitting in a review, having already given my presentation, and mostly listening as my boss presents his stuff to the review board.  So far we haven't got too far behind, lunch is over, and no one's asking questions that can't be answered.  Will be here a while longer, since it's scheduled to go to 6:30 pm tonight (we started at 8:00am).  RS is tonight, so hopefully I can go.  I don't have my keys yet so it's not like I'll be much help that way, but I should get used to going in any case.

Kitty was on a tear last night.  I had brought some work home with me, and she really doesn't like when I break with routine (i.e. sit on the couch for hours so she can snuggle with me).  Ani was a little sad that I didn't stay very long downstairs as well.  I will try to make that up to him tonight.  And Kitty too.

Sigh...

This week is the reason why I decided to not audition for the summer play.  Four days spent working on a spreadsheet, due yesterday but after 12 hours of trying to work on it, play my part in the Mission Simulation, and going to an hour and a half meeting, I finally gave up, went home, spent some time with my cats, and went to sleep.  Today was a get-up-early-and-get-it-finished day, along with two telcons this morning (and two more this afternoon) after which my slides for our review next week are due.  And the two documents that need to go with it.  Ok, only one document needs to go with it, the other one is for my other project, and my task leader wants me to make THAT my priority.  Because it's due too.  Gonna be another rough night.

In the meantime...  My niece got married!  Natalie, in Utah.  (no, I couldn't go, stupid work/review dry-run/airplane prices).  I understand it was wonderful.  In the pictures she is so beautiful.

AND... my other niece had her baby!!!  Of course, the baby was 3 1/2 months early, but little Baby Grayson is doing well, holding his own.  And has gained about 5 oz so he's now 2 lbs.  Yeah, tiny, but doing so well for 3 weeks old!  Although, since he was a premie, does that mean he's really -11 weeks old?  I've been asking a lot of mothers of premie babies about their experiences.  It's heartening.  Although I haven't run into anyone with a baby that early yet.  That may just be because the technology just wasn't there a few years ago.  What an amazing time we live in, huh?

Ok, so cute cat story.  Last night I was in the kitchen putting Ani's dinner together (Kitty already had hers) when I heard this little mewling sound.  Ani was asking for his dinner.  So I went and gave it to him.  He was out from under the couch when I came downstairs--he shouldn't have been starving, I wasn't THAT late, but he was brave enough to watch me put out his treats.  Mostly.  He still runs if it looks like I might be getting close to him.  It's been almost 2 years since I got that little boy.  It's been a difficult road, and definitely life-changing.  If only a) he would stop running at Kitty like a little black train and b) Kitty would accept him as a friend, things would be great in my household.  She could play with him, he would play with her, and I might be able to sleep through the night.  It could happen, don't laugh!

A Beautiful June Day

Greetings , followers! Yes, I know it's been over a month. I think I told you the play ended--everything went very well. I decided not to audition for the next one, though I will be helping with costumes. In the meantime I managed a trip to Abuquerque, NM to see a friend of mine. We had a fun time tripping to all the museums in the area. We even went up to Santa Fe for a day-- they have a lot of museums too. Very artsy, both places. The best was just hanging out and renewing the friendship, though. Work has been busy, and will continue to get even more busy as we prepare for launch. It's almost like it's really going to happen! We had a launch rehearsal the other day, and boy did we learn a lot! Meanwhile my cats are up to their usual shenanigans. Kitty has been spearing my feet with her claws at night, trying to get me out of bed to escort her downstairs. Ani has been getting increasingly bolder, coming within arms reach, but only at a run, and only if he sees that Kitty has followed me downstairs. So that's the update, been to several movies, see the sidebar for my updates on those, though. Not a lot of tv to watch during the summer, so I may be getting full use of my blockbusteronline membership. Have a great day! PS this is my first attempt blogging from the iPad. I think the formatting got lost somewhere. So just imagine that there are separate paragraphs and I'll try to fix it next time I'm on my computer. Anyone have a good blogging app they want to recommend?