Long days. Busy days. Today we began an all-staff strategic planning process. Tomorrow will be eight more hours. We’ll discuss everything about what, how, and why we do the things we do as an agency. There are no sacred cows (that’s the mantra). Everything is up for discussion and none of us are to fear backlash from the Executive Director (who is an amazing, grounded, authentic, and open person). This is a small staff — 14 people total including the AmeriCorps members. There’s a lot of affection among us. We understand that we are all trying to do the right thing and to effect positive change in our community. We’re allies. So the discussion today was lively and civil. Tomorrow we shall see if we can maintain this!

Meanwhile, I’m knitting but not exercising. Eating too much but not sleeping enough. Work has been demanding of so many 12-hour days in the past couple weeks that it breaks my workout schedule. I really truly need to rally myself to incorporate exercise into my schedule even when it goes whacko.

The fun news is: I will be going to Austin this month!!!!!! Yep. Originally I wasn’t going anywhere this year because the job incorporated no time off. I started with the understanding I had to work 1700 hours by October 31. Period. Last week, however, we received clarification. If we have a compelling reason why we have not reached 1700 hours by 10/31, we are permitted to work through to December 31. Our stipend payments end in October, however. Given this new information, I decided I would rather have some fun. The idea of missing another wedding, of not getting a chance to see my peeps, and of spending my birthday all alone while Husband was celebrating at our friends’ wedding felt lonely.

We booked our tickets tonight. Happy day.