Friday, November 16, 2007

Friday Show and Tell

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I have worked in this office for 12 of my 14 years on my job, and will retire in August. I work in a small deparment, a part of a large university. It has been a fun job, for the most part. Our faculty and staff enjoy each other's company. It's definitely not perfect, but it's been good.

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When we moved into this office suite, I was privileged to have my own little space - tiny, but mine. I ordered this nice oak bookshelf. But I never used it for books - it is full of memorabilia. Our faculty members do a lot of international traveling. They always bring something back for us. This set of shelves is full of gifts from them, from missionaries, and international students. I wish I had marked each one where they were from and who gave them to me. I guess I foolishly thought I would never forget.

Note the old-fashioned bright blue typewriter (just barely showing)? It's an IBM Selectric, which I still find occasion to use once in awhile. There are a few things that computers still cannot do as well. Our young work study students can't imagine that to be true.

The file cabinets do much more than hold files.

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I truly don't know what I'm going to do with all of these pictures and doo-dads when I move it all out next summer. I keep updates of the grandkids' pictures there to show off. I like to have seasonal decorations, and can hardly wait to bring Christmas next Friday. Unfortunately, PC has taken the place of Christmas in our main office, so we dare not "offend" anyone. Therefore, we can put up scarecrows and jack-o-lanterns, but spare the students from a Christmas tree! But they can't keep me from doing what I want in my own space, so I will be displaying the real reason for the season.

In the meantime, besides the pictures of the grands, the pictures of flowers from my summer yard, and the Thanksgiving/fall decorations (which I just noticed don't even show!), you will see the adorable e-bear that Diane gave me this summer when we MIRLed in Minnesota.

It's crowded, and has no windows, but it is my little corner of the world and it's my home away from home.

For more Friday Show and Tell stories, stop by Kelli's blog, There Is No Place Like Home.


19 comments:

Susie said...

I used to have a nice corner at work that was all mine. You have yours so nicely personalized and homey looking.
That typewriter is fast becoming a collectible!!
xo

Diane@Diane's Place said...

I learned to type on an IBM Selectric, and I prefer "Elite" type over "Pica", as I recall.

You've really made your space your own, Dawn. I think I'd be taking a few things home with me here and there between now and August so I wouldn't have so much to move when your actual retirement date arrives.

I love that blue and white Oriental porcelain cup!

Love and hugs,

Diane

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

I love your corner no matter if it is small. It looks very inviting and friendly, like you!

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Dawn,
You have alot of pretty and nice things there in your corner. I just did my Friday post and I did my first Friday Show & Tell. It's different from what everyone else has done, but maybe next time it will be like yall's. I know you are looking forward to your retirement next August. I'm sure you will find something to do to keep you occupied. You will just have to make you another room at your house for all your goodies there at work. Well, take care my friend and have a great Friday. God Bless You.

Hugs,
Karen

Susan said...

You've made it lovely and personnel!!!

"Therefore, we can put up scarecrows and jack-o-lanterns, but spare the students from a Christmas tree! But they can't keep me from doing what I want in my own space, so I will be displaying the real reason for the season." You go girl!!!!!! Stand up for Jesus!!!!

Have read the first 2 of your and Kevin's stories. I'll do a couple more today. GREAT idea. David is working on his story which I will be posting soon.
((hugs))
Susan

Hootin Anni said...

Oh yes...IBM....is this the one with a ball for the keys? I had one where I could change the ball to different type. I loved it....and it was so quiet compared to all the other electric typewriters. Kids now-a-days don't know what they're missing. *smile*

CSU? I went there before I got married.

Happy day to you.

nannykim said...

Yes, you should have kept a lit of who gave you what and where they came from. You will have to devise something at home for when you retire--but what!! It is always so hard to do things that don't clutter, but that will still preserves memories. I sometimes go with a revolving display--pull some things out for a while and then put them away and take out others! I know some have used hutches in their homes to display collections. Soooooooo, when you retire you will have to have a show and tell with what you have done ;-) . I think this separation of religion has become separation from religion and is so rediculous!! As if this freedom to display things would actually hurt someone!! As if religious things were pornographic or something!!! brother!!

Anonymous said...

That is great. I can remember using an IBM Selectric! Those were the days..
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Robin said...

Your windows look into the lives of people you love.

I remember when I wanted my own IBM selectric so bad! I'm glad now I never had one - what in the world would I do with it!

Chris said...

It looks nice. I don't have any space in my classroom for anything, as I share a room. I agree, it is hard to 'not offend' when you are the one being offended. Christ belongs in Christmas and Christmas is the season coming up. Good for you that you can put your things in your space, no matter how small, it's still yours!

Mary said...

My goodness, that typewriter is a few years old. Loved your show and tell this week and I'm glad that you decorate your space as you see fit. There's too much that's politically correct these days.

Blessings,
Mary

Anonymous said...

I loved seeing your workspace! I'm glad you get to personalize it. Love that e-bear!

Anonymous said...

Oh, and I agree about the typewriter!! I sometimes wish I had one.

Midlife Mom said...

I loved my typewriter and didn't think I would ever give it up for a computer but here I am on the computer and my poor typewriter is in the landfill! How sad!

I love your space and you keep the Good News in plain sight at Christmas time! It irks me so that jack o lanterns and such can be displayed but not a nativity!!!

Linda said...

What a warm, cozy nook Dawn. It looks like a really pleasant place to work. You must be looking forward to the day when you can find places for all those special things at home!

Carole Burant said...

Such a wonderful space you made for yourself at work...I just love that bookcase filled with so many mementos! The first electric typewriter I used at school was an IBM...I was so used to the manual one, the electric one scared me at first! lol xox

Looney Mom™ said...

Nice and cozy and all yours! Very nice.

Oh and I guess people do get married after the busy holidays. My bad. But SOOO happy that yours have lasted! That is indeed good news!

Tammy said...

Love your corner office, Dawn! I bet it will seem strange to leave it when the time comes...but on to another wonderful phase of your life!

Crazy about Halloween being acceptable but Christmas isn't...what a strange time we live in!

Have a great weekend, Dawn...:)

Sharon Lynne said...

How fun to have your own space. Your little world away from home!

I used to type on a selectric. It was my favorite typewriter. I could go so fast on it!

Then someone bought a word processing typewriter...with a memory and all sorts of stuff, and I was totally confused.