TGIF

1. I look 12.
2. I don't carry my ID with me to work because I'm kind of paranoid that it will get lifted out of the truck when I'm not looking and locking and unlocking the doors every time I need in is a pain.
3. I didn't get margaritas after work.

More good times on day two of Women Build! After long hours in the hot sun, the crew leaders, Boss John, and I hit up Chili's for some cool, margarita refreshment. The list above explains my misfortune. That'll teach me. I shouldn't be driving around without my ID, anyway. I've thought of this several times but now I'm finished driving the truck around (after tomorrow) so it doesn't really matter, does it? (For anyone who may be concerned, I always have it with me in the car and when I'm riding with others.)

The second day of a build like this generally appears to make little progress in comparison to the excitement of the first, but rest assured, we kept busy and productive from 7 am to 5 pm.

Underage misunderstanding,

Construction Kim

Hear Me Roar

Today began Muncie Women Build 2005: A New Kind of Housework! It's fitting that my last weekend as a construction assistant is this project since 1) Women Build 2004 was my first Habitat experience and 2) I happen to be a woman.

I was nervous that this weekend was going to be a relatively boring one for me. I expected to do a lot of "supervising" which really just means I don't have an assigned job and I walk around the site checking on volunteers and deferring questions to Boss John. Thankfully, I had a job that filled my whole morning! Along with crew leader Julie, I cut OSB to cover the gable end trusses. Our job included using the circular saw, so I soon collected a nice layer of sawdust on my arms and face. We spent the rest of the day trying to protect our pieces from other volunteers who saw our artistry as mere scraps. I set our pile aside and twice I even covered it with an extra piece of Styrofoam marked "Do Not Move...or else!" Even still, people tried to steal our stash!

TOOL OF THE DAY: Threats

New Guy Mike is the latest AmeriCorps member. He'll be working with Boss John all year just like CoJo and I did. It's unfortunate timing that he began his term the week of Women Build and has been banished to the trailer to hand out tools and sort nails while we work. I gave him early warning about the truck quirks and he's already caught on to some of Boss John's quirks all by himself.

We raised walls, formed the porch beam, and nailed up blue board (Styrofoam insulation) by early evening. Some of the crew leaders stayed past the anticipated 4:00 to get us into better position for the morning volunteers. As far as I know, everything went smoothly. Approximately every five minutes, "John" was shouted from any given corner of the site as he was beckoned to answer one of a hundred questions of the day. All the women involved were eager to work and focused on their tasks. Day one was a success!

We can do it,
Construction Kim

Fashion and 2x4s

TOOL OF THE YEAR: the construction purse
At the JCWP, we volunteers received several gifts. One of these was a tool bag--we have been inseparable ever since! It truly is my work purse. I take it with me everywhere. I load it with water bottles, gloves, a tape measure and utility knife and screwdriver, the Lowe's card, sanitizing hand wipes, pencil and a pad of paper, safety glasses, sunglasses, sunscreen, chapstick, and my personal as well as cell phones. It's much handier than sticking things in my pockets and letting my water bottles roll all over the truck seat. When I pack my lunch, I leave the house looking like I'm off to vacation!

En Vogue,
Construction Kim

Soccer Moms and Anger Management

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "She's mad most of the time." --Boss John about me
One of the regulars was teasing me today and mentioned, "I don't wanna make her mad." Thus, BJ's response. Little does he know how right he is. Little does he know.

Wouldn't it be grand if I could arrange it that as you scroll over the words mad and angry in my posts that your screen and mouse would actually shake with the fury I feel as I type them? Video game controls vibrate, so this option must not be too far away in the hi-tech future.

It's the first day of fall and I feel like I'm fall-ing apart. I don't like feeling this way, so angry all the time, frustrated and grumpy and not in the mood to deal with people. I didn't even give the obligatory laugh at Boss John's jokes today--didn't even crack a smile. It generally fades after lunchtime, but 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM can be unbearable.

Another volunteer told me she was hoping I would have a "real job" by now. I told her I was insulted by that comment, while smiling of course in order to deliver, with delicacy, my true feelings. She went on to talk about my dance life and how she didn't want me to put aside what I was supposed to be doing. I told her that if I knew what I was supposed to be doing, I'd be doing it. I was not mad at the conversation--I realize it might seem that way just by reading this--but understood her concern for my dreams. Her husband used to be a dancer, so she knows a thing or two about the territory. It was all in the name of encouragement.

We had a fundraiser for Women Build at Fazoli's tonight and ironically enough, my assignment was to man the information table. A group of my friends came to dine and although I didn't get any time to really interact with them, I appreciate their support. Things got interesting when a bus load of soccer boys packed the place for some post-game refueling. By interesting, of course, I mean LOUD!

Too bad it wasn't the college team,
Construction Kim

On My Way Out

I'm going to miss my friends at Lowe's...and the daily dose of self esteem. As I waited in line this morning, Gregory walked by and asked me, "Do the others get jealous of how pretty you are? That's why all the ladies won't work with you." At times like these, I wish I were more charming and quick-witted and better able to respond to silly questions. Afterward, I debated the reply options to such rhetorical observations.

1. Say nothing--just smile like I usually do at compliments with which I do not agree.
2. Degrade myself, making it clear that I do not appreciate myself or the kind gesture.
3. Sarcasm--unfortunately, I think of these answers too late.
4. "Thank you." It's almost too simple.

How the conversation plays now in my wish-I'd-said-that memory: "Do the others get jealous of how pretty you are?" "Only John, but we try to not to let it get in the way of the work." As it was, I tacked a few meaningless words on to option #1--maybe next time.

I've been very argumentative today...out loud. This is unusual for me--the expressing part of it, that is. My current life frustrations have been so overwhelming that I'm actually being vocal about them, usually at work. It's too bad that Boss John has to take the brunt of my bad attitude, but maybe I'll learn something from all this. He still doesn't trust me to know my limits and all I heard was a patronizing tone when he asked if I could handle lifting my end of the insulation blower--with help nonetheless! "I got it down by myself," I snapped. I could hardly believe I said it with such indignation! I remarked at my own surprise and the tension lifted slightly.

Watch my head spin,

Construction Kim

Plague

The crickets have invaded! I hate insects that jump. Once, in high school, I was paralyzed by fear of a grasshopper who was guarding the dog food on our back step. I knew it could pounce at any minute and my poor dog just had to wait. (Don't go all PITA on me, it was only for a few minutes, though it felt like lifetime as I tried my darndest to shew the evil thing away.) On site, under boards (hiding out with dozens of pill bugs to boot), in the office supply closet--big, thick, black, nasty crickets all over the place. I can't stand them!

I've become the nag of the construction team. I guess of anybody, I've always been it, but I took it up a notch today in response to the deadline to finish our third house by Thursday. I'm always perturbed at Boss John's timing, but today I spoke out about it and vocalized other concerns about finishing touches that I'm afraid won't be finished soon enough. My construction knowledge is still lacking but I know a thing or two about organizing and I can't help but wonder why BJ scatters his resources so thin and sets priorities aside and busies himself with other, less-pressing projects when there is clearly more important work to be done NOW.*

First things first,
Construction Kim

*Disclaimer: I am probably wrong. I am full of pride. I am a control freak. This is only my side of the story. It all works out eventually. Did I mention I'm ready for a change?

Good Day Sunshine

Can you believe it? I had a GOOD day at work today!

The reasons for this aren't quite clear because the circumstances had the possibility of pure chaos and distress. CoJo is done with his hours, so Boss John and I loaded up the truck at the shop this morning, were tardy to meet with our volunteers, reloaded extra materials from the big truck on site and proceeded to deliver said materials to three different locations. Thus, the beginning of the work day was a slight delayed, but we had two wonderful volunteer groups with excellent, knowledgeable leaders in each and everything went smoothly despite how hectic the day was and the fact that Boss John left early leaving me to close up shop all by myself.

The worst part of the day was the bee population. Why, of all 5'51/2" 100 some odd pounds of me must they insist on hovering around the face and ears? I had to eat lunch on the move--literally! Standing still with food on my plate was not working so I paced while I nibbled on homemade chicken 'n noodles. Boss John actually sucked a bee up his straw yesterday and got stung in the back of the throat--yikes! We'll have to remedy this before Women Build because that particular site is the worst.

Back to my good day: In the midst of all the morning chaos and rushing to get folks started on their work projects, I felt like I did a good job instructing my group. I set up six people painting and cleaning and organizing. I was thorough and brief and they did a great job.

Immediately after I got them started, it was off to Lowe's where I did a lot of waiting and met a new cashier. It made me realize how much I value the weekday crew and all my friends who know that Habitat is tax exempt and that I need help getting the truck loaded and I have more to order than is in my cart. I've made lots of friends this year. It's hard to believe I only have 10 days left as a construction assistant! A fabulous day like this almost makes me sad to go...almost!

Change is good,
Construction Kim