This might be the first, in-office day since our library moved that I haven't been rearranging furniture, building something, or setting up a space. It's not for lack of trying though! Some items for our family-friendly study room arrived this morning. I would be putting them together but I need to bring in a screwdriver first.

Here's what else I'm working on:

1. We're over here!: I'm updating any and all materials, slide decks, handouts, talking points, etc. that reference our library's old space. Today, I finally had time to record, edit, and post a video showing people how to get to our new location. It wasn't a hard thing to do, it's just something that took time I did not have. It finally feels like we're settling in. Still lots of things to tackle, but we've made HUGE leaps in our to do lists.
2. Embedded Librarian: We got our assignments for the semester. I've spent the past week creating my discussion board, posting announcements, and popping in to my classes to introduce myself. This is the most classes we've handled in a single semester. It will be interesting to see what things look like in December.
3. Kiddo's School Stuff: Our kiddo started kindergarten this week. (*deep calming breathes*) So far, she seems to be taking to the change very well. She's also been exhausted every night from all the new adventures. On the parent side of things, we're figuring out how to handle all the new logistics, submitting paperwork, and generally trying to orient ourselves to this new normal.

Our kiddo starts kindergarten this week and I'm not ready.

First, logistically, I feel unprepared. Our public school has only trickled a few emails our way. We've combed the school's website and the city's website for information. We're still lacking details which leaves us uncomfortable. I mean, nothing is bad, we just feel less prepared. Our daycare was so communicative and had great onboarding so we always knew what to expect. This feels a little like jumping off the high dive for the first time. 

Next, I never love it when routines change. This is a massive routine change for all of us. Until we get back into a rhythm, I'm going to be out of sorts. Our kiddo has generally been good with cold turkey change so, thankfully, that should help with things. 

Finally, I am not emotionally ready to have a school-aged kid. Where did the years go!?!? I know things go by fast when you have a small child, but it feels like COVID ate even more time. I just cannot wrap my head around the fact that we're entering the school play, field trips, and homework years. 

Don't mind me - I'm just going to be over here alternatively weeping and hyperventilating. 

Our new library opened this week and our students are in love! We've received so many happy comments to go with the shocked faces. It's been a rush. I'm going to ride this positive wave of emotion for as long as I can.

Here's what else made me happy this week:

• I put together an unhinged but hilarious video for work
• Still loving having my own office
• Pre-fall weather and leaving the windows open for most of the week
• New colleague is amazing!
• Rewatching The West Wing
• Making recipes just how I like them
• Won a door prize at work
• My skin glowed after my home spa day
• Receiving super cute pictures of my kiddo and hearing about how much fun she is having on vacation

It's the first day of classes and I am BEYOND EXCITED to finally open our new space to students. There are still things we need to finish up, but at least we can open. People are already using our space! It makes my heart soar to see students feeling welcome. I had the first reference desk shift of the semester this morning. On top of the usual printing and textbook questions, there were a lot of people just wanting to see the renovation. It was great!

Here's what I've been working on:

1. Other Duties As Assigned: We didn't want red tape or departmental slow downs to get in the way us opening. So, my colleagues rolled up our sleeves (read: wore workout gear to the office) so that it was easier to move furniture, unpack boxes, and dart all over campus. Just now, I finished deconstructing some weird sliding privacy walls on two workstations that we didn't want. I even brought in my own screwdriver from home to do it.
2. Onboarding: Our team is overjoyed to welcome a new colleague. We've been onboarding him to both the University and the library. This morning, he shadowed me on the reference desk and it was a great way to show him how things work.
3. Laundry: While I'm home solo, anything that can be machine washed is being machine washed. It's so much easier to tackle things like dining room chair cushions when you don't need to worry about drying time.

I'm keeping this short because, this morning, I dropped my husband and kiddo off at the airport. They're on their way to Myrtle Beach for the week while I stay home for work.

After I finish some laundry, the rest of the day is to treat myself. I'm going to luxuriate in home spa goodies while eating way too much from a charcuterie board. Then, I'm going to watch some bad TV while loafing around on the internet. It's the perfect way to relax before what is sure to be a crazy week at my library.

*pops open a bottle of bubbly*

To say I am excited to finally be in our remodeled library space is the understatement of the year. It's so nice AND we welcomed a new librarian onto the team today. I'm using that giddiness to stave off the tears that today is my kiddo's last day at her amazing daycare. They've been so wonderful.

Here's what made me smile this week:

• Setting up my (private!) office
• Built a bookcase while listening to podcasts
• Talking to my brother about his trip to the Olympics
• Cooler morning weather AND low humidity
• Bama Rush social media as TV
• Talking to all of our new students
• The daycare class dancing and singing to their graduation song
• Kiddo's squeal of delight when her dad won a narwhal stuffie from the claw machine
• Hiring professional cleaners today so I can have a spotless place to myself next week

Girls of Storm and Shadow
Natasha Ngan

I'm still reading but am approaching the end of this book. It's been very much a travel novel. Lots of getting to different places and encountering drama along the way. I will say, I know that I am picturing the characters different than the author intends. I see stuff that is far more Zootopia than human-animal hybrid. But, it's fun to spend some time in a world that is so beautifully imagined.

​*Books shared here are affiliate links for Bookshop.org

We started moving into our remodeled library this week! I'm still nervous about being ready by the start of the semester next week, but at least we are here. Our team is scrappy so I know that we will make it work. Finishing details will still need to happen, but at least we will be able to serve students in our new space.

Here's what I'm working on:

1. Student Orientation: Our University is holding a ton of new student orientation events this week. Today I'm tabling at our flagship campus, tomorrow I will be at our workforce development campus. On top of this, I've got a colleague presenting at a jumpstart session. I had to scramble to update those slides with as much info about the new space as I could. In between these events, lots of students are wandering campus and I'm answering questions as they come up. Plus, I gave an interview to our marketing office to help them develop material to share about the new library.
2. Family Friendly Study Space: For whatever reason, the room to this space is locked. (The University is working on it.) In the meantime, I built a bookcase and a little kid activity center. I've got a box of books and small toys ready to go. As soon as that doors open, I'll be ready to set up everything. We've still got stuff on order to arrive, but I can futz with all of that as things arrive.
3. Back to School: I still cannot believe our kiddo is starting kindergarten at the end of the month. Our public school system is not as communicative as our daycare. We've been reading everything we can get our hands on in order to prepare. Emails from the school are starting to trickle out, and I plan on attending as many events and meetings as I can in the next few weeks. This is a big change, but kiddo has been pretty good with those in the past.