genspirii's Blog

                             

I run a non-profit organization part time...handle their money, do their taxes...lead their meetings. We do a lot of good things for people with only a few hours a week. We are accountable to each other on the board, make decisions together.

My question is this...even though I have communication training and years of trying to deal with toxic people that come and go....I really would like to know what is to be done with someone who has the nerve to steal from us?

I am so disheartened by it...but have talked to all the right sources and have been assured this person cannot be reprimanded publicly, or even accused, even tho they have been seen stealing it is now just one person's word against the other. I understand that accusing someone of stealing when they haven't been could be a horrendous action on my part. I have looked back and noticed many shady dealings now in my records when it comes to money and the breaking of organization rules in regard to this one party.

Well, just venting. This person knows I am watching like a hawk...I was able to communicate to them that their "free ride" is OVER. After all, when it comes down to it, I am in charge, so I'm the one who is ultimately responsible for that person's actions.

Please, those of you who serve the community or have children who are around people who serve them in a community organization....PLEASE....don't be afraid to ask if these people have been fingerprinted or arrested for any reason. And don't think it's inappropriate to want to know if this person has anything bad in their background! It's your right to know. ;-p

In Arizona it starts to heat up in May, coming right up. We'll be in the 100s during the day by the beginning of July. I'm not complaining, just making an observation for those that are not aware of temperature patterns around these parts. 

I'm packing in as many hikes as I can now because of the coming extreme heat...it isn't always safe to hike in it even if you go out early and prepared, but I should be able to hike until the end of June if I'm lucky.

You know what's funny? I've finally reached a point in my life in Arizona where I am looking forward to the heat season. I will turn in my hiking boots for a swimsuit starting today. Yay! A workout where its not totally obvious I am sweating, lol. ;-p

I was at the mall with my daughter a few days ago...she wanted new shoes, so there we were. A sale was going on...and when I saw these, they looked just like something I had worn as a teen. They called to me. I love these shoes, not only do they feel really comfortable on my feet, they look pretty danged good. ;-)

Couple nights ago I got a wild hair...wellll...you know where. Went to the local nursery and bought a smaller version of one of these trees. Chinese Evergreen, they are called. I have loved these trees from afar for a very long time, but kept buying the huge broadleaf Ficus trees for my backyard for "someday" shade. They are clean and don't drop leaves or berries, so I thought the Ficus was the right choice. Except over the last six years we've had really, REALLY cold weather (below 20 degrees at some points in January)...and of course, that killed my ficus tree. Bought a new one, planted it about 3 years ago. Again, another frost came right after the tree really starting getting to be a decent size. Killed it. Damn! What the heck?! Two down out of two. Not very good odds so far.

I watch trees around here pretty closely...I should have known. So...now I have the right tree, and should we get a frost for a week of days in January....bring it on. This one's safe. It's resistant to...well...everything...and resistant to extreme temperatures. Finally. A tree I can grow...older...with...;-)

For those of you who have never been to the Grand Canyon, we have it right here in Arizona. Its a big, beautiful hole in the ground...and much more. Just for fun, a friend of mine gave me a copy of this book last time we camped there as a huge group. Its an incredibly informative book, and not all gloom and doom as you would think. Good read, check it out before you come visit the Grand Canyon.

I was cleaning the living room today and going through all the movies out there, making sure the dvds were actually in their cases.

Shocker. 

It occurred to me part way through the job that a good many of these movies were, in fact, not for adults. What happened to my life? Somewhere down the long and winding road, my own likes and tastes have gone by the wayside, and I didn't even notice until now.

I'm going out tomorrow and buy some adult movies. The Terminator. Sixth Sense. The Walking Dead all seasons. 

Yeah! I feel more free already. 

Now, where to stash them?? ;-)

My oldest is in process of buying a house. She knows that as she sends in offers sometimes they are not accepted for whatever reason.

In Phoenix the housing market is starting to hop...sales here are rising quickly and houses in good neighborhoods like mine are selling in as little as a day. A house of a neighbor a few doors down from me was put on the market a couple of weeks ago and this is one of those sold - literally, in ONE day.

A house my daughter was interested in came into the conversation, it is in my neighborhood, but on the next street up and over by three...so within easy walking distance. But there was a problem with this one, she said.

Empty, but no sale sign.

Oh yes, I told her, I know which house you are referring to...it's been empty for about a year. The huge hole in the roof was from a fire we had all heard about. I hadn't heard much more than that - until now.

She told me she had talked to a neighbor near that house. It was said the occupants were a couple, who are both now dead. The husband, she was told, murdered his wife and killed himself, just before doing himself in, setting the house on fire.

I don't know about you, but I'm not superstitious, nor does it bother me that someone died in the house. I can get past all that blarney when I look at the house and see, with my creative mind, the true beauty of what it might someday become, lived in and loved, filled with love and with people.

Who knows if she will end up with that one? She might - if it's meant to be.