All's swine, thank you

So apparently some of you still read this blog. So here we go: a long-overdue update.
First, we've had two cases of swine flu here in our county. One was in an elementary school that my RS president's kids go to. They shut it down the past 3 days. I've been working at the paper (more on that in a minute), and we've been covering it like crazy, just like any other media outlet. I have a similar feeling to perhaps many of you who don't work at a news outlet: enough, already! There's only so much to be done about it. If you're not feeling well, stay home. If you're fine, then keep washing your hands and being careful about sickness and hygiene. And that about covers it.
On to the work. I've been working at the newspaper here, the Visalia Times-Delta, since, oh, February sometime, I think. Or early March? It's all a blur. Well, Mom came in early February, I think, for a very last-minute visit which I urged her to take since she was having ice storms and so on and had no school and no power. I had an interview. Then shortly after, the editor contacted me. I had made clear that I could not work full-time, but I was open to doing projects or part-time stuff. So I wrote one freelance piece for their monthly magazine, and then I was asked to work on the copy desk temporarily, until they got their staffing up to snuff. It was going to be for 3 weeks, so I said, sure, I'll do full-time for that amount of time. And I did. I worked from 4:30 in the afternoon until 11:30 at night, and then got up and did all my usual things at home.
First, the work was fun. Haven't done news in years, although I've technically done editing the past few years as I've worked on the book page in Anniston. So I felt a little fish-out-of-water for a couple of days but got back on the bicycle, so to speak. And I've been pedaling quite fine since and having a good time. I enjoy the work, and getting paid to keep up with the news is always nice. And I've had a lot of fun with the other copy editors. It's always refreshing to get to know new people, particularly in a setting outside of my house.
However, the hours were rough, and I insisted on trying to keep up with everything as usual, like making sure my family had real meals in my absence. I did it, but I was exhausted.
After three weeks, they needed me for longer, so I said, OK, I'll do part-time. I've done 3 days a week ever since. And that's been for, gee, 5 or 6 weeks? Hard to say. I took the week of spring break off so I could be around with the girls when they were out of school. I took Brianna down to Los Angeles to the Getty art museum, which was just lovely in architecture, views and actual art collection. We had a very nice time. I even took an hour or so to drive her by the Los Angeles Temple and down Santa Monica Boulevard through Beverly Hills, and she got to see the Hollywood sign in the hills. Not bad for one day (just drove down and back). The rest of the week was spent hanging out a bit and catching up on everything around here that felt like it had fallen apart while I was working.
Now I've managed to swing a daytime job. I'll just be working about 10 hours a week, laying out and editing their weekly entertainment tabloid. So yay for daytime! I'm procuring daycare for Charlotte two days a week so I can do that. But mostly the kids won't know much of a difference from here on out. Next week is my first week doing that new gig. Yay for me.
Speaking of Charlotte, she turned 2 yesterday. Amazing. She's doing some pottying, depending on if she wants to be serious or goof around with me. But it's cool. Yay Charlotte! She's talking a lot and being as friendly and engaging as ever. And curious. And into everything. I bought some more child locks that would keep her out of more things. We're having a small party for her tomorrow with some family, friends, and cake and sandwiches. So I will post pictures on SmugMug.
I've found a new book club. Been to several meetings now. I'm glad I've got a group to discuss literature with again. We had a meeting last night and talked up a storm about The Alchemist. Great little book. It is the third time I've read it in 15 years, and it always makes me feel jump-started on working toward my dreams.
That brings me to my other projects. I've been steadily increasing the content on Rated Reads. I've got some help from other readers/reviewers and I've got probably 40 or 50 people visiting every day. Not bad, I suppose. But I'd like lots more traffic! But I've got about 140 books on the site now, I think.
I'm still very serious about doing more writing. I've been trying to get my children's book published, but you know, publishing is a very very very very very tough business. I think I'll do better if I can get my middle readers' book or my young-adult book going and shopped around. Now I need to scrabble together some time to do some writing. Because I have nothing else to do.
I've also managed to get some good projects done around here the past few weeks. I've cleaned up, thrown out, organized more and put more junk away in some fashion. There are fewer piles in corners or on countertops. I'm very jazzed about this because I hate clutter. It's been very gratifying seeing some of it go away. It makes the house feel much better. My brain is so busy all the time that if there's clutter around me, in addition to being in my head, I do feel a little bit crazy.
On the church front, for those who are LDS, you will understand when I say I am in the Relief Society presidency in our ward here. I'm the enrichment counselor. I did this for 5 1/2 years in Alabama before we left and had a reprieve of approximately 6 months. Now I'm back in the saddle again. I'm pleased but feel ever more responsible to do something because now I'm having to just get to know everyone here first! I'm making progress, however, with learning names and finding out what everyone is like and what they do. It's responsibility but I'm glad to serve.
I make very regular posts on Facebook, so this blog has suffered. But it's a lot more interesting to write a bunch of stuff on here. Now if I can get caught up with my journal, I'll be really doing well.
We are still trying to sell our house in Alabama. It's been since July we've had it on the market. It's about time it just sells. But even though it's stressful, I do have to appreciate that at least we have a home and jobs.
The girls are doing well. We're well into birthday season for everyone, and all are excited particularly that it's about time to be able to use the swimming pool that's been lapping in the backyard since we moved in. I'm not in too great a hurry for it to get miserably hot. We had that for about five days two weeks ago and it was not pleasant. Today, however, we're actually getting some rain, which is most welcome. I'm fine with summer waiting its sweet time.
That is all for today. I'm off to work.