C-A-R-O-L-I-N-A...Goooo Cocks!

Total domination- Yes, that describes the Carolina vs. Clemson baseball series over the past few years. Last night's thrilling 7-6 win in the bottom of the night was our 9th win in the past 10 games vs. Clemson. Despite 3 costly errors, we still managed to eke out the win.

Way to go, Yardcocks!

Tonight we play again, this time in Clemson, and we may very well lose since I'm probably jinxing us...but, seems we have ol' Jack Leg's number (Clemson's coach is Jack Leggett).

And, by the way, the victory was that much sweeter since I hear from WEG how dominant Clemson is in every other sport. He didn't have much to say when leaving the game last night ;-)

What a week!!

Thank goodness it's Friday!!

My plans for the weekend:
Friday:
Drinks with friends

Saturday:
Shopping for a shower we're throwing
Dinner with my girls

Sunday:
Church
USC baseball game with my cousin's son

Nice and relaxing- filled with many of my favorite things. I need a weekend like this!
See y'all on Monday!!

Can you impeach a governor?

I usually don't get into politics, but today I have some breaking news- Our SC governor, Mark Sanford, is a true idiot. We are LAST IN THE NATION in cuts to education. Our higher education system has taken a 26% cut thus far. The next highest is Alabama and they are still WELL behind us. USC has been cut $55 million and the college I work for $14 million. But, still our ever-so-bright Governor Sanford is sticking to his guns that he will refuse the stimulus money. Oh sure, just throw us under the bus even more. It's ridiculous for a state and its governor to care so little about higher education. Doesn't Mr. Sanford realize that this money would be a lifeline- it certainly won't fix the problem- but it will help us to keep our doors open and not have to pass such a large tuition increase along to our students, many who won't be able to afford college if we do this.

When our university president met the University of Iowa president at the bowl game this year and told her that we had already been cut 17% and were looking to be up to 26% before long, she asked him "Will you be able to stay open?". Yes, it is that dire of a situation. All state schools in SC have received this astronomical cut, but yet and still our governor refuses to help us. If he doesn't take the money, we'll have to start laying off people at a higher rate....more unemployment for SC, whose rate is already ludicrous.

Please tell me, what is he thinking? Taxpayers are going to pay for this anyway and in SC, we've spoken loud and clear....Take the stimulus money, Governor Sanford, and show us that you give a damn about our education system. If not, we're going to continue to spiral downward.

A picture of our infamous governor:

Oh wait, that's a donkey- sometimes known as a stubborn ass. Yep, same thing.

Frustrated....

I'm having one of those days and need to vent.... I'm completely frustrated at the current moment. Let me preface this by saying that I am extremely grateful that I have a job right now when so many of you are experiencing lay-offs due to downsizing in the horrific economy. However, I must say that I am scared of what lies ahead with my job because I am afraid I will not be good at what they want me to do.

My boss told me today that the big boss wants me to get out and visit our donors more. Yes, I am the stewardship director, but previously I have just had to oversee the thank you notes from our office and from the students with the occasional donor meeting. Now they are wanting me to meet with donors on a more frequent basis. This scares me because I am not good at just ringing someone up and asking to meet with them. I'm extremely afraid of rejection or getting someone who is rude on the other end of the line. I need thicker skin. I'm also afraid of meeting with someone one-on-one. What if I say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing? Number two, this costs money...gas money, money for lunches with the donors, etc. Yes, the University will reimburse, but the system is such that it takes sometimes 2 weeks to get reimbursed. It's a pain, and I don't have a whole lot of disposable income, especially right now with a trillion things coming up that I'll need money for.

Do any of you have to do something similar in your jobs? If so, can you give me pointers? I desperately need them. I love the event planning aspect of my job, and I want to love this new part, but I'm scared. It takes me a while to get to know someone before I am completely comfortable just calling them up and setting up a meeting. Any advice you may have would be appreciated.

I am also frustrated because of what my calendar looks like starting in May. I feel like I have something to do every weekend. What does that mean? MAJOR MONEY as I mentioned early as well as very little time for myself or WEG. It's coming up on fishing season for him, so he's gone a good bit on weekends anyway, but I do like the occasional weekend to ourselves or at least where we are in the same town and can see each other in the evenings! Starting in May this is what my summer looks like:

May- 2nd weekend- work event; 3rd weekend- work event; 4th weekend free; 5th weekend- bachelorette party
June- 1st weekend- work; 2nd weekend- wedding; and probably a shower for another wedding one of the last weekends.
In July it gets even busier!!
July- 1st weekend- 4th of July (usually with family); 2nd weekend- birthday party for my friend's son out of town; 3rd weekend- bachelorette party; 4th weekend- free
and in August I have a wedding on the 15th.

Now, that is just what is planned RIGHT.NOW. Things always come up, as you know- especially in the summer. To say I am overwhelmed when I look at my calendar would be a major understatement. At times I feel like I might just cry. One of those work weekends I have to miss a bridal shower for my friend whose Maid of Honor I am. That sucks royally, but there's nothing I can do. This is how I feel my entire summer is going to go.

So, between the scary new deal with work and everything I have coming up, I feel like my head may explode. I'm only one person, but I feel like I should multiply myself so everything gets done. I know there are people out there who would love to just have a job- I get that, I'm not complaining, just saying I'm scared of what's coming and scared of my ability to do a good job.
And, I love all of my friends that are included in some of the plans I have this summer- please don't get the wrong idea, guys! It's all just very overwhelming at the moment!

Venting over- I know your comments will make me feel better!.

I survived!

I survived both a wedding and a funeral over the weekend, but man am I exhausted. I have been going non-stop since Friday morning and have an extra-long day at work today.
Thank you everyone for your prayers and kind comments from my post on Friday. It was a difficult time for WEG's family, and your thoughts have meant so much.

On that note, I must get to work. I haven't been here for 2 days and I have a lot to catch up on!! I'll be back either later today or tomorrow with a better post and re-cap of the wedding!!

655

That is the number of posts that Google Reader says I have to read....YIKES!! I want to read every single one, but that is a little overwhelming! I may have to skim- and I'll try to comment. I am trying to avoid the dreaded "mark all as read" button.

Hope everyone is having a terrific Tuesday!!

Just another manic Monday...

Seems to be my problem last week was Google Reader- thank you everyone for your comments to assure me that you were still reading!!

It's yet another crazy week at work- I survived last week, thank goodness!! This week I have a dinner & lecture on Thursday night that I have neglected due to last week's events so I'll be doing last minute stuff for that up until time. And, they are coming to replace our windows in our office tomorrow, so we'll be uprooted for a bit- with no computer access, so that makes for a lovely mess!!

At some point this week I hope to have a real post, but I'm not sure if that will happen or not. My cousin is getting married this weekend, so I'm off to Greenville on Friday for the festivities.

I do have a question for y'all, though- one of my friends asked me to take a poll about this. She wants to know- If you were a bridesmaid in a wedding, would you rather have a gift (bag, etc.) that was the colors of the wedding or your favorite colors? Thanks in advance for your answers!!