I always knew we lived in a wonderful community, but that was never made clearer to me than on Monday evening.

I arrived in Indianapolis for a work conference earlier that day. After FaceTiming with my family, I saw some concerning news come across our building's email list-serv. I alerted my husband since I knew he was doing bedtime routine with the kiddo. It turned out that there was a fire in our condo building. Because of the attention and quick actions of our neighbors, the fire department arrived quickly and was able to extinguish the fire without it spreading too far. (No one was hurt but the building is dealing with the aftermath and mitigation of the impacted area.) 

I called my husband as soon as they evacuated. While I knew my family was physically safe, my mind raced trying to figure out options of where they could stay and what they would need if they were not allowed back in the building. It was agony not to be there in person. I deal with tough situations by focusing on what I can do to resolve the situation. There was literally nothing I could do in this case. I couldn't even get a flight back home that night. My family had to remain outside for two hours while DC Fire ensured the fire was out and the building was safe to reoccupy.

​Our kiddo was nonplussed by the entire event. She got extra time on her tablet, was able to see lots of pets, and even enjoyed a snack. A woman who lives on the street behind us walked around offering pouches and other kid treats to those who wanted them. One of the firefighters talked to our kiddo about Daniel Tiger. Once my family was allowed back in the building, kiddo went to bed as if nothing happened.

I am grateful to live among neighbors who watch out for each other. While I am, admittedly, still dealing with anxiety around this, I know that our community is there to help.

Kiddo's daycare is closed for Veteran's Day. Luckily, so is my office. I'm always grateful that my holiday schedule generally aligns with hers.

Here's what else was good this week:

• Both of my flights took off and landed early
• Panera's bistro French onion soup
• Feeling chic in my new coat
• The conference rooms were (mostly) a normal temperature
• An excellent chocolate chip cookie
• Kiddo helped make grilled cheese for her dinner
• Being able to metro to a public library
• Kind neighbors
• Fantastic engagement during my conference presentation

The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood

This was sitting on our condo's community bookcase. I swiped it because seeing the cover put me in the mood to re-read it. When I was a freshman in college, this was one of our "common read" options. We were supposed to read the book before new student orientation and then attend a discussion group. I ended up speed reading the book on the long car ride from upstate NY to DC. So.... yeah... not a lot of it stuck. I've been meaning to re-read it for years. 

I've only made it through the Forward and chapter one at the moment. I know that this is going to be the kind of book I enjoy reading. But, I also know that I'm going to get angry at the context in which I'm reading it. It's going to be an emotionally volatile 300ish pages.

*Books shared here are affiliate links for Bookshop.org

I just wrapped up my attendance at the Library Marketing and Communications Conference. After two days full of great sessions and giving my own presentation, my brain is zapped. Which seems appropriate given that my session was about content burnout. Tonight, I'm going to grab dinner from the Panera across the street, binge watch The Office, and luxuriate with a hydrating sheet mask.

Here's what I've been working on:

1. Conference "Stuff": I've been away since Monday. On top of attending all the conference sessions - all of them were great - I'm preparing to bring back what I learned. I took notes via X and made a Keep list for action items and follow-up questions. I also compiled all the print materials from the sessions and the SWAG swap. As soon as I'm back in the office, I'm going to process this material so that I can harness the energy burst I always get from attending professional development events.
2. Work from Home Prep: I will be working from home for a few extra days during Thanksgiving week. Since I will be nowhere near my office, I'm making a list of things I can do at home. I know that my focus will be shot so I'm making a list of brainless/admin projects I can just plug away at. I'm planning this far ahead to ensure that I bring everything I need with me.
3. Fretting: This isn't an actual "thing" but it is residing in my brain. A lot of dramatic personal stuff happened this week and my mind is rolling from worry to fear to anxiety to list making. Normally, I try to wrangle my emotions through productive action but, since I'm out of town, I can't. Instead, I'm breathing through it and mentally preparing for my reaction when I get home. Usually, I am overreactive during these sorts of weeks. I hope that this remains the case. 
   

Last week, a friend shared a cute video of a woman turning herself into a fairy based on an illustration. The illustration reminded me of artwork this same friend once had on her wall. This led us down a rabbit hole of discussing websites we used to go to all the time but haven't visited in ages.

I graduated college in 2006. The "world wide web" had taken firm hold but "Web 2.0" was the new thing. Smart phones were just a glimmer in the distance. If you wanted to enjoy online stuff you had to use a computer - most likely a desktop. These were the days where I could be online for less than an hour and see everything I wanted to see in a single day.

If you want to join me in nostalgia, these were the websites and tools I thought about:

• DeviantArt - A great place for stunning user created art. Most is fantasy or sci-fi themed.
• Netives Marbles - A matching game that was an early precursor of all our mobile puzzle games.
• Hot or Not - I don't miss this one.
• StumbleUpon - A tool to help you find new random websites. This was fun while it lasted.
• The Misadventures of Super Librarian - One of the earliest book blogs. This one mostly highlighted romance novels. The author is still going and I decided to follow it again.
• FanFiction.net - I read so many stories here.
• Akinator - We spent several fun nights playing this in college.
• Homestar Runner - Trogdor!

What early websites are you nostalgic for?

Kiddo's daycare is closed for professional development today. I'm grateful that work from home flexibility means I don't have use any leave. I'm also grateful that I don't mind hearing the Fancy Nancy theme song over and over and over again.

Here's what else was good this week:

• My brother dressing up in a Buccee's onesie when he joined us to trick-or-treat
• Watching the Capitals win from some great seats
• Cheering on my husband as he finished the Marine Corps Marathon
• The kiddo's HUGE smile when the husband high-fived her as he raced by
• Enjoying a delicious dinner of Chilean seabass
• Swiping the one Mounds bar from our kiddo's Halloween candy haul
• During trick-or-treating, kiddo saw a squirrel climb up the steps of a house and asked it, "Are you looking for treats?"
• Getting to tour the library's space under renovation. So much potential!

I read a lot of books with my kiddo. Kid Reads is a biweekly look at what we've enjoyed recently. ​

I got to put on a snazzy, high-visibility vest today and tour the library's space under renovation. I took far too many pictures. There is still a loooooong way to go, but it looks like we may be able to move into this brand new space next summer. I practically drooled when they showed me the massive wall I get to use as a digital display. I loved this walkthrough because we got the chance to add our insights  - like requesting tables with outlets at counter height, adding a baby changing table in the all gender bathroom, and classroom layout.

Here's what else I've been working on:

1. Library Marketing Conference: I wrapped up my slides and notes. The organizers asked us to turn these in early. That deadline led me to have a rushed week but it meant I couldn't procrastinate. I also collected all our library's merch for the SWAG swap. New this year, they asked us to design a SWAG flyer for those people who don't want to take the actual objects home. That was a lot of fun. I rarely get to do "retail" graphic design work.
2. Research Assignment Design: It was a struggle, but I made a small dent in the literature review section of our article. I don't like what I wrote, but at least we have something to work with. Also, I am weirdly excited for when I get to red pen the draft in our next round of work.
3. Christmas Prep: It's never too soon! I've almost got the kid's gift list done. I also pulled out a few of her toys to see if she misses them. Same thing for the books (although I am going to save the books for the library's family-friendly study room). As we get travel plans for our family in, we're working on the schedule of events to make sure we get enough tickets. We're also revisiting the menu for our holiday party. 

Guess I'm liking some "how to" content right now.

Today, I have my cheering voice on.

The husband, after many many months of training, ran (is running?... not sure about the timing of when this posts versus where he is...) the Marine Corps Marathon.

While I will never understand his drive to complete such a painful physical feat, I am more than happy to support his hard work. The training regimen is no joke... and then you actually have to run the race! And this is his second marathon! It's impressive.

After his first marathon, he told me he would never do it again. I think it took all of four months for him to start training again.

I have a feeling this is probably not his last marathon.