TGIF

I was trying to figure out this morning why I am feeling a little tired. I realized that last week was another fundraiser and I am probably still "recovering" from that! Now to start thinking ahead to May when the next fundraiser is occurring. Monday after work I will start making the necessary contacts and get to work on the prospectus package for the event. I enjoy the organizational aspect of fundraisers...the development of the databases, the budgets, the timelines, the themes and designs of venues, and watching as the many people involved in a fundraiser bring it all together. It takes many people and many hours to create a successful event. Okay, enough about fundraising today!

I am glad it is Friday, as this has felt like a long week. I have many cases at this time, so I do feel a bit like I am juggling those glass plates on poles! I am still trying to figure out the best way to accomplish my job. Right now, I am basically doing all paperwork out of my home, and then spending Monday through Thursday on the road. I have team conferences with the case managers a couple of days a week, first thing in the morning. I check into the office once a day to pick up my referrals from my mailbox.

I was able to spend some time this week with other social workers, which really help me out. There are several medical social workers in my city, so we try to get together once a month and talk about our work and lives. Myself and another social worker each work alone at our jobs, and many times we do feel very alone out there. It is nice to have another MSW to bounce ideas off of. Most social workers are employed in a setting where there is more than one social worker on the job. There is a sense of security in having other social workers to talk over difficult cases with. I am lucky that the medical social workers from our "support group" remind me often that they are only a phone call away.

I had lunch yesterday with a colleague I went to graduate school with. I have not seen her for about three months, when she was just starting a new job. It was wonderful to hear about her job, which is a completely different aspect of social work. The best part about getting together with my friend: we make each other laugh!

I am taking time off next week to spend time with someone special. I am learning that I do need to take breaks from work to avoid becoming burned out. My last "break" was in October when I went to Disneyland. I am looking forward to this break.... a whole week!!! My office arranged to have another MSW on standby in case a social worker is needed while I am gone.

My quote for today: "Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them." ~John Shirley““