Diamonds For Women

jpochard · Joined: 04 Jul 2012 Posts: 127 Location: Hamilton, Ohio

So I seldom check in with the non-baseball chat forum and thought perhaps I'd be more active - especially during the off season - in here, since I'm not as involved in the sport as some of you ladies Smile

I know I'd like to know more about what's going on in your lives - as some of you have mentioned stessful times and events and I really don't know what is happening. Hopefully, things are going well and working out for the best!

Around here, we are remodeling our kitchen. Joy. My husband can do just about anything and so he thinks he should do it all himself. I am a very patient person, but this might push me to my limit!

I just finished leading and being on the team presenting two women's church retreats. That took up a lot of my computer time and put me behind on a few other projects as well. I don't shoot too many weddings, but I ended up doing three of them close together which then entails hours of follow-up work in editing and ordering.

Added to that Thanksgiving (with no kitchen!) and a visit by my daughter and her family for the holiday and my grandson's first birthday...and down time has been minimal. We are driving up to NY later this month to spend Christmas with them as well.

If any of you ever get into the Greater Cincinnati area, please let me know! Would really enjoy a meet up for lunch or a game if it's during the season.

Judy

dodgerblue6 · Posted: Thu 12/6/12 5:33 am Post subject:

Thanks for the update! I do hope to someday get to GABP for a Dodger game, so I'll definitely let you know.

GilHodgesFan hasn't been active in awhile because of some things going on in her family. I'll let Cathy share what's happened recently in her life, but as far as mine goes, there's a variety of issues: In particular I'll be posting about some family news a little later that isn't entirely public yet, but in between, working in a church during Advent is busy enough without factoring in deaths. We recently lost two long-time church members; one was elderly and not unexpected, but our treasurer died quite suddenly a few days after presenting to the Board his proposed for our budget next year. This is just a recap--I've been posting a lot of details about our church issues, our minister retiring, hiring an interim minister, and many other problems confronting us. It's been a very stressful year both in the congregation and in the office, since I wear two hats.

Now I have also found out I have to undergo a biopsy next week after recent testing indicated something that needs further examination.

Oh yeah, and I'm in charge of coordinating our annual Christmas caroling next weekend to our church's homebound members who are well spread out around the region. I love being involved in this annual event, but there's just a lot going on at the same time in my life, and much of it is not even involving Christmas or anything holiday-related.

This year has really worn me down and I am so looking forward to turning the page to 2013.
_________________
"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."

-Baseball Hall of Fame

jpochard · Joined: 04 Jul 2012 Posts: 127 Location: Hamilton, Ohio

So where are these types of things posted that I am missing them? I saw some references to "...with everything that's going on..." etc, but haven't really seen posts explaining what's happening. I must be missing something someplace.

dodgerblue6 · Posted: Thu 12/6/12 10:41 am Post subject:

Oh, gosh, they could have been any threads based on when they were taking place. Most of my issues started during the summer, but I posted a few days ago about our minister retiring this month (although it was announced back in August)--"Church of Baseball."

Also, one thing I haven't mentioned on the board, or at least I don't think I have, is that we've had a lot of turnover in staff as well--a lot was going on behind the scenes with our office administrator who ended up being fired in October (just before the World Series started!); we had to call our last two office administrators out of retirement to replace her through the end of the year, and at that point there will be some reorganization of duties and they'll hire someone new. However, those who will be helping with this transition are the other two ministers and me, because with a new interim senior minister and now a new administrator, we'll have to provide the stability as they settle in. Not to mention, we'll need a new treasurer, too. Sad

So, it's making for some late nights in the office for me.
_________________
"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."

-Baseball Hall of Fame

jpochard · Joined: 04 Jul 2012 Posts: 127 Location: Hamilton, Ohio

Ahhh....see, I wasn't even aware that you worked in a church office. Perhaps some of the basics were covered in posts before I came on board and it's just assumed people know these things Smile

Church staff changes can be a challenge for sure - particularly if they happen under less than ideal circumstances. We just went through a period of that at our church (not a good situation at all!) and now going through it again under better conditions. Our youth pastor (been there for 7 years) just left to be a senior pastor down in Tennessee. Our worship pastor has cut back to very part time and is transitioning into a new career in finance.

I hope that things will smooth over quickly for you and God brings just the right individual with the right gifts to fill that position.

forloveofthegame · Joined: 23 Oct 2009 Posts: 7348 Location: San Diego

Jpochard maybe you are missing a lot of posts from not coming around as much, but I know for sure Linda has talked about working in her church office during the summer months when things were getting bad. I am really glad to see you back here and do enjoy hearing from you. For me, we lost both my niece and my sister in law in a span of about 6 weeks. Maybe you missed those posts but I did mention in one of the playoff threads (because it was going on during the playoffs) about it and also that we scattered her ashes over the ocean - maybe that was during the thread about in memory of loved ones. I might have also posted about the paddle out too. I really did not say as much about my sister in law because nobody else was posting here at the time and I had already talked to Linda off the board. But that was another loss, and in between I travel a lot for my job which is wearing me down - although the one good thing is that I stay on the West coast so do not have to deal with jet lag. Still - it can be tiring when you do it a lot! I do know Gil Hodges fan has always said she missed posts too but we suggested maybe if you are gone awhile, to check back starting at the bottom of where you left off and then work your way up the other threads from that point, if you want to scan about what is happening or being said about these topics.

Just had a few minutes here but I will be back later today, or tomorrow - to finish up with other topics.
_________________
"Baseball is an allegorical play about America, a poetic, complex, and subtle play of courage, fear, good luck, mistakes, patience about fate, and sober self-esteem." - Saul Steinberg

jpochard · Joined: 04 Jul 2012 Posts: 127 Location: Hamilton, Ohio

Very sorry to hear about your niece and sister-in-law. One of the reasons I plan to travel to NY as often as possible to see my daughter and her family - you just can't take for granted your loved ones or get back the time that passes.

It also puts things like baseball into perspective.

What sort of work do you do with your traveling?

forloveofthegame · Joined: 23 Oct 2009 Posts: 7348 Location: San Diego

I sincerely do appreciate your thoughts. I am really thankful all my family live nearby. I bet it was great to share your grandson's first birthday. Smile

My work involves meeting and events planning, mostly smaller conventions etc., on the West Coast, from Las Vegas, Phoenix, and northern Baja to many sites in California and all the way up to Seattle. I have only been doing this for 6 months now. Prior to that I worked in events planning but all situated in Southern California and north B.C. from the San Diego metropolitan area up to Orange County, some in L.A. and a few in Palm Springs - but generally in my immediate county. I love it, always enjoy the events and people.
_________________
"Baseball is an allegorical play about America, a poetic, complex, and subtle play of courage, fear, good luck, mistakes, patience about fate, and sober self-esteem." - Saul Steinberg

dodgerblue6 · Posted: Sun 12/9/12 7:50 am Post subject:

Thanks for your comments, jpochard. I am pretty sure I've mentioned working there since you've been on the board just because of all that's been going on--the drama got really intense in about July, but we're winding down what has been a very rough year, in many ways.

forloveofthegame · Joined: 23 Oct 2009 Posts: 7348 Location: San Diego

I know from what you have said, it is still a tough transition - bet you are glad it is almost over.
_________________
"Baseball is an allegorical play about America, a poetic, complex, and subtle play of courage, fear, good luck, mistakes, patience about fate, and sober self-esteem." - Saul Steinberg

jpochard · Joined: 04 Jul 2012 Posts: 127 Location: Hamilton, Ohio

Just checking in! Can't wait for ST to start and see how some of the guys look coming into camp. I had a dream last night about attending Opening Day and catching a Votto HR ball and having it signed lol - so it must be about time!

Getting ready here for two big art shows coming up. The first one starts tomorrow and the other is in two weeks. Since I do photography and most of my pieces are framed, it's quite a production to prepare them and then figure out a way to transport without nicking up the frames or breaking the glass. Taken all together, they can also be quite heavy. It's a chore - but it doesn't feel like one.

In today's digital society, so many people take more photographs than ever - but are probably printing an ever decreasing amount of them. I really get a photographyer's "high" from seeing my vision artfully displayed and ready for others to appreciate.

Youngest daughter back to college after Christmas break and things are getting back into routine - which is not a bad thing Smile

dodgerblue6 · Posted: Thu 1/17/13 9:25 am Post subject:

That's great. Smile

_________________
"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."

-Baseball Hall of Fame

forloveofthegame · Joined: 23 Oct 2009 Posts: 7348 Location: San Diego

jpochard · Joined: 04 Jul 2012 Posts: 127 Location: Hamilton, Ohio

"real" work has begun oun our kitchen - as I finally convinced my husband we needed to pay someone else to tackle this. We bought all the cabinets, counter, sink etc. 8 years ago! Long story - but fate finally forced our hand with a leak in the wall behind the kitchen sink and cabinets this past September. Had to pull everything out for that anyway, so full-on reno began. Destruction got about 80% complete and that's where it sat for several month.

After putting some money aside, doing well with photography over the holidays and a couple art shows, we finally got a reasonable bid to finish most of the work. They've been at it since last week and will hopefully be finished by the end of this week. Laying floors tomorrow. We also have all new appliances going in.

I did a lot of painting over the weekend so that I won't have to paint with the new floors down or cabinets in the way. It's actually starting to look like a purposeful room! It should be good and ready for Opening Day Smile

Once the construction crew is finsished, I'm going to try my hand at tiling the backsplash and then hanging some new lights.

My baseball budget has kind of been shot through this reno, but at least now I can see the TV from the kitchen (upper cabinets are now out of the way!) and can watch the game while I cook!

My brother-in-law is currently staying with us. He's always worked kind of on the fringes of getting a legitimate job and is in-between stuff right now. He's helped a lot around here, so I can't complain. Just hope it's a short term arrangment.

How's life on the west coast? Sounds like you've been in baseball heaven with all the events happening out there. Although it didn't work out this year, I'm very hopeful to get out to ST next year and perhaps we'll be able to arrange a meet up.

dodgerblue6 · Posted: Tue 3/26/13 10:32 pm Post subject:

When I read this last week (well, now I realize it's been two weeks), I wasn't sure if it was directed toward Cathy or me, or both. And I've seen your posts on Facebook so I thought I had read about your kitchen updates there, but now I realize it was here, and that I didn't respond. I probably read it both places!

Well, I sure do hope you can get out west next year and then maybe all three of us could meet in Arizona. If it's not possible because of my work schedule (mostly because of my work--since preseason always does coincide with Lent!), then perhaps you and Cathy, who seems to get over there more often, can meet up. I guess that's something we can all figure out later this year or early next year!

I can tell you are anxious for this kitchen project to be completed. Hopefully you can come back and join in on some conversations since I've been posting to you quite a bit! Smile

Just a few days left until Opening Day!
_________________
"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."

-Baseball Hall of Fame