God is good and greatly to be praised!!! The Lord sent us a blessing - a big blessing!!! He arranged for a big bill of ours to be almost completely paid off. I can't praise Him enough for His mercy and grace. Although things aren't perfect - God is showing that He is moving in all our circumstances.

Right now we are preparing for Tropical Depression Ernesto to hit. They are calling for 3 to 10 inches of rain, so everyone is leaving work early to go home and prepare - everyone, but me. Seems that since I am a temp - they want me to stay and cover the phones - no problem. I know that seems weird, but that is how it works here. Their hourly employees can't run errands because they might get in an accident, but they don't mind if a temp goes, because they won't be liable for the accident - strange. That is just the way they treat you here - either you deal with it or leave.

I was warned when I first started working here that this is the biggest group of work-aholics ever assembled, and I found that to be true. Part of my job is working with the Mentoring program, and most of the candidates said their biggest obstacle is learning how to balance work and home. It is not unusual for people to work 60 to 80 hours a week. They really do neglect their families, but they expect them to understand because they are 'working'. When work begins to replace your family - you really need to sit down and check your priorities. Like I said earlier - HR really isn't a department I should be in.

Now onto the birthday present for today it was a set of salt and pepper shakers. They were different from other ones that I own - so I will add them to my collection. Tomorrow I open the one gift that my sister was worried about - and it is the one she is most excited about..hmmm I wonder what that could be. Well I need to start closing up things here - just in case I can leave early - you never know.

Have a wonderful and a blessed Labor Day weekend if I don't talk to you before then. Also I just want to thank you for all the hard work each of you do every day. This country is blessed because of you - Thanks!!!