My father's last surviving sibling died nearly two weeks ago, on what would have been my cousin Phil's birthday. My Aunt Betsy was 82. Phil was in his mid-40s when he died 5 years ago from complications of lymphoma and a bone marrow transplant. He had married later in life. His sons were too young to have any memories of him other than him being sick. That is the shameful part of it all. He was my favorite cousin. Betsy was my favorite aunt.
Aunt Betsy was the eccentric aunt. Every kid should have an eccentric aunt. OK, when we were young, we all thought she was weird. It isn't until you are a bit older that you are able to appreciate and respect those who dance through this life to their own rhythm.
My aunt knew no strangers. She was a genuine and honest person who was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. Like many of her generation who grew up during the Great Depression, she had developed a life-long mentality of frugality. She wasted nothing.
She was rescuing furniture and household goods from the trash routes long before it became fashionable to the home decorating scene as "shabby chic." There was no reason to throw away anything usable. Someone, somewhere, at some point in time would have need of it. My daughter says I am a pack-rat. HA! My squirreling and saving and salvaging and dumpster-diving obsessions don't even approach the level of that of my aunt.
Her two sons, who live out of state, have the unenviable task of going through her house. It will take at least two years, I am estimating.
The church, of which she was a founding member I came to learn, held her funeral service and then provided a luncheon after her burial. It was an interesting experience to meet my aunt's friends. For that's where her true friends were, in her church.
My aunt was buried in the plot next to my father. When I had spoken with my mother on the phone during that hectic week of arrangements, family coming from out of state, and other miscellany associated with family dysfunction and grief, my mother had commented that she and purchased the plot next to my father for my aunt.
I had been a bit perplexed by this but did not have time to question further during the flurry of activity that week. Betsy's husband, whom she had known since elementary school, had died several years ago. He had been cremated. The reason why there was a need for a funeral plot in which to bury my aunt remained a quandary.
It wasn't until we were at the grave site that the mystery was revealed to me. My cousin Gary, her younger son, commented to me, "Mom decided she didn't want to be buried with the Hoover's. She wanted to be buried with the Johnson's." My reply was spontaneous. "You know, that's just how the Johnson's are."
My baby sister (She will always be my baby sister.) and I were picked up from Mom's house by her husband. She and I were going to head back to Columbus for the luncheon at the church. While Jason was driving us back to their place, my sister was telling Jason about the Lutheran funeral service for my aunt. She laughed and concurred when I referred to Lutheranism as "Catholic Lite." The most difficult part of the funeral for me was when Psalm 23 was read aloud. I had not heard those words spoken aloud since I had read them myself at my father's bedside as he was quickly dying once the life support measures had been removed.
We dropped Jason at their house and headed out on the road. We were talking about my aunt on the drive back to Columbus. I told Deanna what Gary had commented to me at the cemetery and what my impromptu response had been. She laughed the knowing laugh. I guess you'd have to be one of us to understand all that was implied. "Yeah," my sister said, "you marry one of us and it's 'You're coming along for my ride.'" It was then that my sister told me Mom had not simply purchased the plot next to Dad for my aunt. She had purchased three plots in the row behind Dad and Aunt Betsy, as well. The new Johnson section has been staked.
Everyone had pretty well left the luncheon by the time my sister and I rolled in. Three of the ladies who were serving commented about the knitted shawl that I wore. It is my blue wool shawl, which upon beginning to make it, I had informed Hindolo, "This is going to be my winter coat. Therefore, you are not allowed to take me anywhere in the world to live where I cannot wear this as my coat. You have been given a mandate." I related that to the ladies, and they had laughed.
They told me that they had a prayer shawl ministry at the church. They made shawls to donate to a nursing home, and they had been very surprised at how many of the gentlemen in the nursing home had requested shawls made for them in dark colors. Thus far, they had donated fourteen shawls.
I had asked if they used primarily acrylic yarn for the shawls for washability and durability for use in the nursing home. The ladies replied that they used whatever they had or was donated. I told them that I had lots of acrylic yarn that I would be willing to donate. One of the ladies commented, "Betsy's niece having way too much of something on hand. Imagine that." We all laughed. I assured them that it was genetic.
Betsy's older son joined my sister, me, and a couple of the folks from the church at our table. We hadn't seen one another in close to thirty years. We talked and laughed about all sorts of things relating to my aunt.
My sister pondered aloud that my aunt was probably a millionaire, and wished good luck to my cousin in finding all the bank accounts, bonds, investment paperwork.
When our grandmother had died in the early 1990s, my Aunt Betsy was the executor of the estate. Before the estate was settled, my Aunt Lois, the eldest of the siblings died. In order to settle Lois's estate, the money from our grandmother's estate had to be distributed. Betsy produced bonds, CDs, and other investment accounts all in the name of Lois and Lois's children. Aunt Betsy had invested everyone's money for them. She had seen no reason for it to be idle in some account for the state to pillage while waiting for the farm to be sold. She had divided the money up and invested it for everyone.
My sister said that she, Mom, and my sister Luanne had been talking in the days before Aunt Betsy's funeral. One of them had posed the question that they had wondered when was the last time Aunt Betsy had bought a new item of clothing. The consenus had been that it was probably for her husband's funeral. One of my sisters then thought that perhaps Betsy had bought a new dress for Dad's funeral. Mom's response, "No she didn't." Too funny! but not surprising at all.
Aunt Betsy was the aunt who always sent a card for EVERYONE's birthday. Nieces, nephews, their spouses, great nieces, great nephews. It was a running gag for many years about the dollar that she always enclosed in the card for the kids. Deanna commented that she remembered being sixteen years old and getting that dollar from Aunt Betsy. Deanna had been teasing Ryan, my sister Luanne's son, on his birthday last year, "Did you get your dollar from Aunt Betsy?" He had received five dollars, Luanne had said. We all laughed and chimed in unison, "Inflation!"
It was good to share the memories and the laughs. It was good to see the old photos that had been displayed at the funeral home during calling hours. My cousin Gary commented to me, after looking at the old photos of his mom, how much I looked like her. On seeing them, I had to admit that he was right.
With the passing of the last of my father's siblings, that era of the family history has come to an end. It is a very sad thing. My mother is the last of the spouses. Phil was the first of the cousins to have died. My siblings and I are the youngest of the cousins. My dad had nieces and nephews older than him. Most of my cousins are in their mid-to-late 60s, and a few are in their 70s.
As my sister and I sat at the luncheon talking with Betsy's oldest son, Todd, and reminiscing about Aunt Betsy's wonderful brand of eccentricity, Todd commented about my own particular brand of eccentricity in what I had done with my life and career and time in the 30 years since he had seen me last.
I was wearing my Doc Marten Mary Jane shoes and black patterned tights with my black dress, its hemline hitting well above my knee, and blue knit shawl. I related that, as my daughter Amanda and I had been driving to the funeral that morning she had commented about my (typical for me but what would be most unexpected for the people whom we were soon to meet) funeral attire. "Sometimes I wonder if you just try to be different," Amanda had said. "No. I'm just me," I replied.
I think Aunt Betsy was one of the very few family members who truly understood that I was "me." That, however, did not stop her from chastising me to the nurses and the residents at the ICU nurses' station on the day my dad died for being too brilliant to not have gotten my PhD in computer science or in engineering. (Either would have made her happy.) I assured them all, the nonconformity and the wanderlust had not been in vain as it had made for a grand adventure thus far.
I am the heir to the legacy of my aunt. My older niece and nephew are getting to the age where they are coming to realize that I'm the eccentric aunt. The younger ones still view me as weird. Lots of fun, but weird. My grandchildren are still too young to know that I'm not typical of most grandmothers. The older two are beginning to observe some notable differences between the grandmother models, though. LOL
The torch has been passed to the next generation. I have a wonderful legacy and irreplacable role model in whose footsteps I will follow. Onward I go (marching to a samba)...
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Saturday, October 18, 2008
I did it! Over the last 5 months, I have successfully waded through 10,000 emails that have come through my sorely neglected for the first six months of this year Yahoo Inbox. YEA ME!
"YEA ME!" has become the new catch-phrase of the offspring and myself in response to the myriad and on-going deluge of overwhelmingly negative "stuff" that has been pouring down over the last couple of months.
She's about to drown in it. For myself, being far more jaded and cynical (there are distinct advantages to being "old"), I manage to laugh my way through most of it in the end.
We are vehicle-less. Between the two of us, we have managed to kill three minivans in the span of 2 months. I view it as a karmic signal that an SUV is in order. Having the long-held belief that minivans are tangible evidence of evil, it was merely one brief exercise in fuzzy logic to arrive at the karmic connection.
Gabe has been suspended from kindergarten five times in six weeks. She is not surprised but is highly frustrated by this series of on-going events. We knew that it would be a challenge playing "catch up" in getting him the medical, behavioral, and educational help that he needs, but I am certain that she was not bargaining for anything this extreme. Progress is being made, after the ex-son-in-shit-head's years of denial, thankfully. He is being medicated (short-term) for the ADHD while further testing for allergens and metabolic imbalances is under-way. Preliminary testing has found that he is not Aspergers but is definitely in the "spectrum" for sensory integrative disorders. The school psychologist has decided to forego information gathering and proceed directly to testing. He has an IEP in place, but the school is not willing to be stern enough with him regarding his outbursts and maladaptive behaviors. There is nothing that Gabe loves more than an audience. When his behavior in the classroom (typically running on the tables, throwing things at other students) necessitates him being removed, they send him to another room full of students. The only difference being, the second room is the in-school detention room which is pre-filled with a disruptive element before he arrives to contribute to the melee. With Gabe needing to be the center of attention, this particular group of children only serve to escalate his behavior even further.
Aren't the people who came up with this resolution supposed to be the "professionals?"
I am glad that my daughter is a pro-active as she is. This would otherwise be an unwinnable scenario. However, it is wearing on her immensely.
The latest "YEA ME!!" will transpire later this afternoon when she is finished with work. She will drive 35 miles east and scour the should of the interstate for her keys, which were presumably lost there last night when Minivan #3 bit the dust.
The gas was off for a week-and-a-half. Thankfully, the diligence of a single father of seven (who officially had nothing to do with fixing the gas leak as it is against the policy of the fascists at the utility company) found and fixed the offending gas leak allowing hot water to return and heat to be generated, just in time for the onset of the cold weather this week.
The clothes dryer was kaput for a week and a half. In spite of promises to look at and fix it from Al, Amanda was able to find a loose wire and reconnect it herself. I was impressed. She disassembled and reassembled the components in the fashion of a true professional, including having two miscellaneous screws left-over at the end of the exercise.
For now, I'm closing this in order to assist the children in cleaning the living room before she gets home from work. It is painful to live a mess; there is no point in living in a mess.
"YEA ME!" has become the new catch-phrase of the offspring and myself in response to the myriad and on-going deluge of overwhelmingly negative "stuff" that has been pouring down over the last couple of months.
She's about to drown in it. For myself, being far more jaded and cynical (there are distinct advantages to being "old"), I manage to laugh my way through most of it in the end.
We are vehicle-less. Between the two of us, we have managed to kill three minivans in the span of 2 months. I view it as a karmic signal that an SUV is in order. Having the long-held belief that minivans are tangible evidence of evil, it was merely one brief exercise in fuzzy logic to arrive at the karmic connection.
Gabe has been suspended from kindergarten five times in six weeks. She is not surprised but is highly frustrated by this series of on-going events. We knew that it would be a challenge playing "catch up" in getting him the medical, behavioral, and educational help that he needs, but I am certain that she was not bargaining for anything this extreme. Progress is being made, after the ex-son-in-shit-head's years of denial, thankfully. He is being medicated (short-term) for the ADHD while further testing for allergens and metabolic imbalances is under-way. Preliminary testing has found that he is not Aspergers but is definitely in the "spectrum" for sensory integrative disorders. The school psychologist has decided to forego information gathering and proceed directly to testing. He has an IEP in place, but the school is not willing to be stern enough with him regarding his outbursts and maladaptive behaviors. There is nothing that Gabe loves more than an audience. When his behavior in the classroom (typically running on the tables, throwing things at other students) necessitates him being removed, they send him to another room full of students. The only difference being, the second room is the in-school detention room which is pre-filled with a disruptive element before he arrives to contribute to the melee. With Gabe needing to be the center of attention, this particular group of children only serve to escalate his behavior even further.
Aren't the people who came up with this resolution supposed to be the "professionals?"
I am glad that my daughter is a pro-active as she is. This would otherwise be an unwinnable scenario. However, it is wearing on her immensely.
The latest "YEA ME!!" will transpire later this afternoon when she is finished with work. She will drive 35 miles east and scour the should of the interstate for her keys, which were presumably lost there last night when Minivan #3 bit the dust.
The gas was off for a week-and-a-half. Thankfully, the diligence of a single father of seven (who officially had nothing to do with fixing the gas leak as it is against the policy of the fascists at the utility company) found and fixed the offending gas leak allowing hot water to return and heat to be generated, just in time for the onset of the cold weather this week.
The clothes dryer was kaput for a week and a half. In spite of promises to look at and fix it from Al, Amanda was able to find a loose wire and reconnect it herself. I was impressed. She disassembled and reassembled the components in the fashion of a true professional, including having two miscellaneous screws left-over at the end of the exercise.
For now, I'm closing this in order to assist the children in cleaning the living room before she gets home from work. It is painful to live a mess; there is no point in living in a mess.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
~yawns and stretches~
It's 5:26am, and I'm just sitting down with my first cuppa joe. My caffeine consumption is seriously lagging these days, and that is probably not a bad thing.
I am relatively wide-awake for it being such an early hour. I was awakened around 3:30 by a combination of the pain in my back and the wretched feline yowling downstairs... sounded too much like my daughter saying "mom." Does that "mother hearing" never go away? ~sigh~
I hope you all liked yesterday's entry on The Story of Stuff. Other than some statistics, it really didn't present any information that I didn't know, but I hope it gets spread around the internet enough and seen by enough of those with the "Wal-Mart mentality" that SOMETHING in there strikes a chord with our consumer-driven masses.
Not that I think Wal-Mart is really any worse of a retailer than Target or K-Mart or Sears or Abercrombie or Macys... I see the same countries of origin on the labels of products sold in those stores as I do in Wally-World.
You know, if Americans were to not shop for a month (hell, two weeks), it would do more to damage our economy than high gas prices, plummets in the stock market, the failure of large banking/insurance corporations, and the housing crisis combined.
Whomever is to be the next president of this country (I really pray that it isn't McCain, and I'm a Republican. A Republican with a conscience, that is.) is walking into a truly fucked-up scenario.
Another big thank you to the Clinton administration. It was his administration that deregulated the securities industry in '98/'99 (somewhere around there, I'm getting old, gimme a break, OK). Those controls had been put in place after the GREAT DEPRESSION. And, hey, look... it took us less than a decade without those controls and regulations in place to totally screw things up. Gotta love the global economy and the fact that our currency is backed by nothing of any value. We have tremendous national debt and trade deficits. Oh hell... you all know how we got into this mess.
Oh, hey... I got one of those DVD's that Clarion sent out in order to smear Obama. If you didn't receive one, it is titled "Obsession." The "O" in the title is the Islamic crescent and stars and the cover art definitely lends an "apocalyptic" tone. I didn't get to watch it. The perverse and twisted part of my nature really did want to watch it for purely vicarious reasons. The offspring (another Republican with a conscience) however, stated quite matter-of-factly, "You know we're not watching this, right?" as she deposited it in the trash on Saturday - the very same day that it was received in the mail. I really don't know where that bitch gets it from.... ~insert giggle and wink here~
Well, it's 5:50am... shower time.
Ciao!
It's 5:26am, and I'm just sitting down with my first cuppa joe. My caffeine consumption is seriously lagging these days, and that is probably not a bad thing.
I am relatively wide-awake for it being such an early hour. I was awakened around 3:30 by a combination of the pain in my back and the wretched feline yowling downstairs... sounded too much like my daughter saying "mom." Does that "mother hearing" never go away? ~sigh~
I hope you all liked yesterday's entry on The Story of Stuff. Other than some statistics, it really didn't present any information that I didn't know, but I hope it gets spread around the internet enough and seen by enough of those with the "Wal-Mart mentality" that SOMETHING in there strikes a chord with our consumer-driven masses.
Not that I think Wal-Mart is really any worse of a retailer than Target or K-Mart or Sears or Abercrombie or Macys... I see the same countries of origin on the labels of products sold in those stores as I do in Wally-World.
You know, if Americans were to not shop for a month (hell, two weeks), it would do more to damage our economy than high gas prices, plummets in the stock market, the failure of large banking/insurance corporations, and the housing crisis combined.
Whomever is to be the next president of this country (I really pray that it isn't McCain, and I'm a Republican. A Republican with a conscience, that is.) is walking into a truly fucked-up scenario.
Another big thank you to the Clinton administration. It was his administration that deregulated the securities industry in '98/'99 (somewhere around there, I'm getting old, gimme a break, OK). Those controls had been put in place after the GREAT DEPRESSION. And, hey, look... it took us less than a decade without those controls and regulations in place to totally screw things up. Gotta love the global economy and the fact that our currency is backed by nothing of any value. We have tremendous national debt and trade deficits. Oh hell... you all know how we got into this mess.
Oh, hey... I got one of those DVD's that Clarion sent out in order to smear Obama. If you didn't receive one, it is titled "Obsession." The "O" in the title is the Islamic crescent and stars and the cover art definitely lends an "apocalyptic" tone. I didn't get to watch it. The perverse and twisted part of my nature really did want to watch it for purely vicarious reasons. The offspring (another Republican with a conscience) however, stated quite matter-of-factly, "You know we're not watching this, right?" as she deposited it in the trash on Saturday - the very same day that it was received in the mail. I really don't know where that bitch gets it from.... ~insert giggle and wink here~
Well, it's 5:50am... shower time.
Ciao!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Everything I Needed to Know in Life...
... I learned from Horatio Caine!
teehee
Your family are the most important people in your life. They may make things extremely difficult for you at times, but you do your best to take care of them. Remember, if you don't love your family, no one else may.
No matter how uncomfortable the situation, you must do the morally right thing.
You always eliminate the threat with extreme prejudice... no wavering, no doubt, no second thought.
A wry one-liner never hurts.
Isn't that all there is? LOL
Yeah, I watch CSI Miami. Not so much for David Caruso; more for that quasi-forensic stuff dramatized there. And, the plot lines of most of Bruckheimer's CSI series have some decent twists. I prefer the forensic shows for the truly vicarious stuff, but I've seen most of them. My mind is sort of warped that way.
I'm one of those people who looks at the grotesque photos on Rotten.com and is more fascinated by the "hmmmm, now exactly how did this get to be this" aspect of them than viewing them just for the sheer shock/schlock/horror value. I don't slow down on the highway at accident scenes. I have no morbid fascination. There's really nothing there that I want to see.
A couple of years back, the offspring and I were watching some forensic science-inspired TV program. I commented to her that I had been offered a full scholarship to study forensic science years ago, but my parents had been so appalled by the thought that they refused to allow me to accept it. She was incredulous. The next time we visited my family, I brought it up the subject of that offer. The memory of it still brought revulsion to my mother. I, however, think I would have made a kick ass blood-spatter expert.
On the internet browser homepage at msn.com yesterday was a little "what do your color preferences say about your personality and good career options" quizzes. I took it. It was pretty accurate. Paralleled my Jungian personality ENTP results. Said I would be ideally suited to arts/design/creative-type professions. Yeah, what else is new?
In defense of my left-brain, I took a career satisfaction inventory test from the same site. I'm well-suited and perfectly happy in my profession except in areas of salary, benefits, some of the organizational structure things. Who doesn't experience some dissatisfaction and frustration with those areas? It wasn't enough dissatisfaction to cause disharmony in my soul, so I suppose it doesn't matter that much, does it?
I have acquired the "head cold" that is making its way through the household. Rather than opting for the green death Nyquil route, I went the Vitamin C, Zinc, echinacea in addition to the B-complex vitamin and probiotics route. Some increased intake of water, some green tea with honey lemon and ginseng, and a bowl of hot and sour soup for good measure has me not feeling too badly at all.
The guy is heading back to class tomorrow. Two quarters to go. He's taking this engagement ring-thing quite seriously. I had joked that he should pick it up for me from Tiffany when he goes to NYC to do some Christmas shopping. He decided that was a good idea. As he stated to me, "Yes, you should have a nice ring." Guess I need to now redirect him to Ashcroft and Oak instead. Wonder if there's one in NYC? lol
teehee
Your family are the most important people in your life. They may make things extremely difficult for you at times, but you do your best to take care of them. Remember, if you don't love your family, no one else may.
No matter how uncomfortable the situation, you must do the morally right thing.
You always eliminate the threat with extreme prejudice... no wavering, no doubt, no second thought.
A wry one-liner never hurts.
Isn't that all there is? LOL
Yeah, I watch CSI Miami. Not so much for David Caruso; more for that quasi-forensic stuff dramatized there. And, the plot lines of most of Bruckheimer's CSI series have some decent twists. I prefer the forensic shows for the truly vicarious stuff, but I've seen most of them. My mind is sort of warped that way.
I'm one of those people who looks at the grotesque photos on Rotten.com and is more fascinated by the "hmmmm, now exactly how did this get to be this" aspect of them than viewing them just for the sheer shock/schlock/horror value. I don't slow down on the highway at accident scenes. I have no morbid fascination. There's really nothing there that I want to see.
A couple of years back, the offspring and I were watching some forensic science-inspired TV program. I commented to her that I had been offered a full scholarship to study forensic science years ago, but my parents had been so appalled by the thought that they refused to allow me to accept it. She was incredulous. The next time we visited my family, I brought it up the subject of that offer. The memory of it still brought revulsion to my mother. I, however, think I would have made a kick ass blood-spatter expert.
On the internet browser homepage at msn.com yesterday was a little "what do your color preferences say about your personality and good career options" quizzes. I took it. It was pretty accurate. Paralleled my Jungian personality ENTP results. Said I would be ideally suited to arts/design/creative-type professions. Yeah, what else is new?
In defense of my left-brain, I took a career satisfaction inventory test from the same site. I'm well-suited and perfectly happy in my profession except in areas of salary, benefits, some of the organizational structure things. Who doesn't experience some dissatisfaction and frustration with those areas? It wasn't enough dissatisfaction to cause disharmony in my soul, so I suppose it doesn't matter that much, does it?
I have acquired the "head cold" that is making its way through the household. Rather than opting for the green death Nyquil route, I went the Vitamin C, Zinc, echinacea in addition to the B-complex vitamin and probiotics route. Some increased intake of water, some green tea with honey lemon and ginseng, and a bowl of hot and sour soup for good measure has me not feeling too badly at all.
The guy is heading back to class tomorrow. Two quarters to go. He's taking this engagement ring-thing quite seriously. I had joked that he should pick it up for me from Tiffany when he goes to NYC to do some Christmas shopping. He decided that was a good idea. As he stated to me, "Yes, you should have a nice ring." Guess I need to now redirect him to Ashcroft and Oak instead. Wonder if there's one in NYC? lol
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Too Good to Pass on This One...
The week at work has been crazy thus far. Not altogether unexpected but still more than enough stuff to keep on top of and keep up with that I'm struggling to keep my desk clear. (That's why they invented filing cabinets and file folders, ya know.)
Amanda is making some changes that she feels will be good for her. The quasiboyfriend is having some difficulty grasping the concept that it has nothing to do with him. He just can't seem to understand that they haven't known each other long enough and they aren't involved deeply enough that he is even considered in her decision-making process. Yeah, one of those who seems to think that everything must be all about him. (Her dad gives their involvement 6 months max, by the way.)
So, what does this self-involved and non-evolved dumb ass do this afternoon? OMG! This was so great!! I just couldn't believe it when she told me this when I got off work this evening.
He sent her a text message that read, "merry me"
Oh is that not just the fucking best!!
A TEXT MESSAGE!!
Shit, and here I was feeling like a commodity simply because Hindolo just sort of assimilated me into his marriage mindset. LMTCTFOAO (laughing my twisted cynical tired fucking old ass off). At least he had enough sense not to do something that totally assinine.
Truthfully, Hindolo doesn't text. Doesn't even read text messages when he gets one. I know. I have sent him a few. I gave up. However, if he did text, he has more sense than to even allow something as blatantly stupid as the idea of texting a marriage proposition.
I say proposition because something that totally idiotic could not ever be considered a proposal.
A TEXT MESSAGE!!!
O-M-G!!!
Of course I had to ask her if she had replied..... lmao.... Hey, that's just me.
Amanda can't wait to share that one with the girls at work tomorrow. Neither can I, the truth be told. That one is just too good to pass up.
Ciao.
Amanda is making some changes that she feels will be good for her. The quasiboyfriend is having some difficulty grasping the concept that it has nothing to do with him. He just can't seem to understand that they haven't known each other long enough and they aren't involved deeply enough that he is even considered in her decision-making process. Yeah, one of those who seems to think that everything must be all about him. (Her dad gives their involvement 6 months max, by the way.)
So, what does this self-involved and non-evolved dumb ass do this afternoon? OMG! This was so great!! I just couldn't believe it when she told me this when I got off work this evening.
He sent her a text message that read, "merry me"
Oh is that not just the fucking best!!
A TEXT MESSAGE!!
Shit, and here I was feeling like a commodity simply because Hindolo just sort of assimilated me into his marriage mindset. LMTCTFOAO (laughing my twisted cynical tired fucking old ass off). At least he had enough sense not to do something that totally assinine.
Truthfully, Hindolo doesn't text. Doesn't even read text messages when he gets one. I know. I have sent him a few. I gave up. However, if he did text, he has more sense than to even allow something as blatantly stupid as the idea of texting a marriage proposition.
I say proposition because something that totally idiotic could not ever be considered a proposal.
A TEXT MESSAGE!!!
O-M-G!!!
Of course I had to ask her if she had replied..... lmao.... Hey, that's just me.
Amanda can't wait to share that one with the girls at work tomorrow. Neither can I, the truth be told. That one is just too good to pass up.
Ciao.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
It Just Figures...
The weather has continued to be miserably humid though not quite as hot these last few days.
The job offers are flooding in. One thing about my industry... it takes forever sometimes to get a job. I was to have an appointment this morning with an agency to do home health for pediatrics. A tumble down my daughter's back steps last evening (Calling myself doing her a favor and taking out the trash.) has left me very stiff and sore and aching. Fortunately, no major injuries... a skinned knee, a jammed finger are about the extent of the acute problems. A sore back, sore arms, aching hips and a drastic decrease in ease of mobility (and that nice dull, throbbing ache with just sitting) are the order of the day.
I rescheduled the appointment to do the paperwork for the home health agency until tomorrow. Seems they have lots of peds that I can do on the weekends! Gotta love it! LOL
I haven't shown any signs of bruising from the fall (yet). And, I'm supposing that when they do show up...
There's no nice way to put this... I'm scheduling my appointment Monday, as soon as I find out which practitioners are covered on my new insurance plan...
I think I have cancer. Possibly a lymphoma... non-Hodgkins... Haven't had any of the fevers, or localized lymphadenopathy (swelling and tenderness of the lymph nodes) that are typical with Hodgkins.
I have two bruises on my right, outer lower leg that have remained relatively unfaded and hard for more than a month now. I had an extreme bout of itching (that's putting it VERY MILDLY... OK, I was about to overdose on Benadryl it was so bad for about 5 or 6 days) in May that I attributed to an allergic reaction to the St. Johns Wort/Griffonia Seed compound that I was trying for an holistic alternative to commerical pharmaceutical antidepressant therapy. When I showed no hives, I then assumed it to be some type of vasculitis related to the autoimmune disorder with the rheumatoid. I have had a congested cough for three? four? weeks now that I attributed mainly to my allergies and the bad air quality... Should have thought about it sooner, though... non-productive, moist cough. And, when I was on the telemetry unit Memorial Day weekend, before I had my cardiac cath, there were abnormalities with my iron studies and some minor things with my blood count.
It wasn't until I became concerned with this nonhealing bruising within the last week or so that I began to put all of the symptomology together.
Oh yeah... I had a couple of glasses of red wine over the weekend and got some pain in the regions of various lymph node clusters... another indicator.
And, then there's the fatigue, which I just chalk up to the RA.
I've had a lot of capillary fragility due to the years of steroid therapy, so bruising doesn't really set off an altert with me. However, unknown (all of my bruising tends to be of relatively unknown origin) bruising that remains this long...
I told Amanda last night that I think I may have cancer. Just told her there's no nice way to put this.... so.... Told her about the bruising, the itching, the cough, the blood abnormalities.... What it all added up as a possible cause....
I really hope I'm wrong. Cancer would be such a pain in my ass. Just one of those things in life that anyone can best do without.
We have the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (sounds so very, very impressive) here. However, me being me, I'll probably go the Mt. Carmel/Trinity Health route. LMAO Not only do I work for them...
I really wanted to work for them for a reason... I love the philosophy. "Mount Carmel and Trinity Helath were established on a foundation of faith-based principles: Respect, Social Justice, Compassion, Care of the Poor and Underserved, and Excellence. These principles and the Mission serve as a compass to guide our ongoing health care ministry." That mission statement is posted in all Mt. Carmel facilities. On the front cover of the booklet that outlines our organizational integrity program is "But as for me, I will walk in my integrity. PSALM 26:11."
Unfortunately, I don't/can't do the hospital thing any more, and the turn-over rate in the offices are very low. So.... and, as we know, God somehow managed to work out a job for me in an office that I neither applied for or applied to... still makes me LMAO!!
So, I think I'm going to start where I believe...
That's how my week is shaping-up so far. I'm pondering some things, cultivating peace... Funny how your perspective begins to shift and reshape your priorities and the things that seem "important."
The job offers are flooding in. One thing about my industry... it takes forever sometimes to get a job. I was to have an appointment this morning with an agency to do home health for pediatrics. A tumble down my daughter's back steps last evening (Calling myself doing her a favor and taking out the trash.) has left me very stiff and sore and aching. Fortunately, no major injuries... a skinned knee, a jammed finger are about the extent of the acute problems. A sore back, sore arms, aching hips and a drastic decrease in ease of mobility (and that nice dull, throbbing ache with just sitting) are the order of the day.
I rescheduled the appointment to do the paperwork for the home health agency until tomorrow. Seems they have lots of peds that I can do on the weekends! Gotta love it! LOL
I haven't shown any signs of bruising from the fall (yet). And, I'm supposing that when they do show up...
There's no nice way to put this... I'm scheduling my appointment Monday, as soon as I find out which practitioners are covered on my new insurance plan...
I think I have cancer. Possibly a lymphoma... non-Hodgkins... Haven't had any of the fevers, or localized lymphadenopathy (swelling and tenderness of the lymph nodes) that are typical with Hodgkins.
I have two bruises on my right, outer lower leg that have remained relatively unfaded and hard for more than a month now. I had an extreme bout of itching (that's putting it VERY MILDLY... OK, I was about to overdose on Benadryl it was so bad for about 5 or 6 days) in May that I attributed to an allergic reaction to the St. Johns Wort/Griffonia Seed compound that I was trying for an holistic alternative to commerical pharmaceutical antidepressant therapy. When I showed no hives, I then assumed it to be some type of vasculitis related to the autoimmune disorder with the rheumatoid. I have had a congested cough for three? four? weeks now that I attributed mainly to my allergies and the bad air quality... Should have thought about it sooner, though... non-productive, moist cough. And, when I was on the telemetry unit Memorial Day weekend, before I had my cardiac cath, there were abnormalities with my iron studies and some minor things with my blood count.
It wasn't until I became concerned with this nonhealing bruising within the last week or so that I began to put all of the symptomology together.
Oh yeah... I had a couple of glasses of red wine over the weekend and got some pain in the regions of various lymph node clusters... another indicator.
And, then there's the fatigue, which I just chalk up to the RA.
I've had a lot of capillary fragility due to the years of steroid therapy, so bruising doesn't really set off an altert with me. However, unknown (all of my bruising tends to be of relatively unknown origin) bruising that remains this long...
I told Amanda last night that I think I may have cancer. Just told her there's no nice way to put this.... so.... Told her about the bruising, the itching, the cough, the blood abnormalities.... What it all added up as a possible cause....
I really hope I'm wrong. Cancer would be such a pain in my ass. Just one of those things in life that anyone can best do without.
We have the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (sounds so very, very impressive) here. However, me being me, I'll probably go the Mt. Carmel/Trinity Health route. LMAO Not only do I work for them...
I really wanted to work for them for a reason... I love the philosophy. "Mount Carmel and Trinity Helath were established on a foundation of faith-based principles: Respect, Social Justice, Compassion, Care of the Poor and Underserved, and Excellence. These principles and the Mission serve as a compass to guide our ongoing health care ministry." That mission statement is posted in all Mt. Carmel facilities. On the front cover of the booklet that outlines our organizational integrity program is "But as for me, I will walk in my integrity. PSALM 26:11."
Unfortunately, I don't/can't do the hospital thing any more, and the turn-over rate in the offices are very low. So.... and, as we know, God somehow managed to work out a job for me in an office that I neither applied for or applied to... still makes me LMAO!!
So, I think I'm going to start where I believe...
That's how my week is shaping-up so far. I'm pondering some things, cultivating peace... Funny how your perspective begins to shift and reshape your priorities and the things that seem "important."
Friday, July 25, 2008
Staying Alive
Round Two of my employment at Park West came to an end in early June. That ending has brought both relief and hardship, though thankfully, more of the former than the latter. Though I've had to contact Wage & Hour to try and recover salary that they owe me and money has been extremely tight, I am more than thrilled to be away from the malpractice and the drama.
I'm currently doing in-home care for an autistic child (more on that later) and grossly under-employed, yet it's a job so I'm not complaining.
Classes and the ensuing ton of nursing school homework/busy-work are keeping the guy far busier than I would like. But, we're still together... it has been a year. I'm certain that none of the people who know us would have thought that with the major differences in our personalities that we'd have made it together this long.
I am still a bit dismayed with the cultural/male attitude that I'm an "assumed acquired commodity" but hey... I was at his place the other night, and he had to run out to pick up notes from a classmate. I was left at the apartment to my own devices (another first that reiterates that I'm equated to "acquired commodity status") while he ran. He returned and assumed the position in front of the computer for the next round of the previously mentioned busy-work. I watched a bit of the news on the 43-inch LCD TV that gets recpetion on three channels (as it is connected, not to HD cable service, but a set of rabbit ears... omg, he is such a different one...), kissed him goodnight, and told him to wake me when he came to bed.
I had commented to him earlier in the evening that I'm not sure what he is going to do when we are at a point where he sees me daily as it will be so different from how things have been throughout our relationship to this point. I told him he will need to work three jobs in order for things to seem "normal." He laughed.
Tom came from California for a visit with Amanda and the kids. They spent a few days in Pennsylvania with family and attended a family reunion. Amanda was finally able to meet some relatively normal members of the family. Amanda has also determined that her parents are never allowed to be together in the same room - ever. We, her parental units, determined that as her dad only makes it here for a visit every three to five years, she will simply have to deal with it.
Amanda and Tom had gone out to shoot pool one night and managed to be home an hour before last call. OMG, he's getting OLD!! That never would have been the case, even 10 years ago! I had been watching the kiddos while they were out, and had just carried Gabe up to bed at 1:30am right before they got home. We were sitting around the living room talking and Amanda was seriously nodding on the love seat. Her dad told her to just go ahead and go up to bed as we would be OK without her. I reminded her that "after all, we are your parents." He laughed and she looked annoyed.
Al stopped in for a couple of brief visits while Tom was here. Olli also met her dad (having met Al the week before her dad's arrival in town). So, Olli was straight as to which dad he could and could not mention certain details. Always a major consideration when dealing with my two exes/her two dads.
YES!!! The phone call finally came!! FULLTIME EMPLOYMENT HAS APPEARED ON THE SCENE!!
The money isn't the greatest, but it's for a pediatric practice affiliated with Mt. Carmel Health Systems. Ergo, excellent benefits. One of the physicians has an integrated practice and does lots of special needs kiddos. And, I do really believe in the philosophy of Mt. Carmel - providing service to the under-served and disadvantaged. My health insurance will be about $28 a month and the 401K is available for enrollment immediately and matched fully to 3% and at half to 5%.
The best part about the position is how God worked it out. Especially as I hadn't even applied for this job!! Or even applied at this office.
I had emailed a resume for an office coordinator/nursing position at another practice affiliated with Mt. Carmel. How my resume came to be in the hands of this particular physician/office manager, I have no clue.
I went for an interview late one afternoon last week. The weather was miserably hot and humid - heat index near 100, with the actual temperature itself above 90 - and my daughter's van has no working air conditioning. So, what to wear for this interview was quickly becoming a dilemma. Being that I'm very much a "what you see is what you get" person, it was even more of a challenge.
I opted for a long, sleeveless rayon dress in a dark blue print. It was nice enough to look good, still me, and weather-survivable.
On being ushered into the back office, the physician greeted me first. She stated that she had not intended to even be present for my interview as she had a previous commitment, but when she had seen me in the waiting room, she KNEW that she simply had to meet me.
As it turns out, her previous commitiment was the charity medical clinic that is organized and run by one of the larger, nondenominational churches in the area. The large nondenomination church that is right up the road, pretty much, from the large nondenominational church with which I am affiliated. So, it turns out that we're on the same page on the important things.
You just have to love how God chooses to do things.
His way. His timing. His purposes.
I will be primarily this physician's nurse, though there is another physician in the office - with a completely different type of practice (again, another more on that later), and they are looking to add a fulltime nurse practitioner to the practice. The offer had already been made to the nurse practitioner, but there was no word yet (as of my interview day) on whether or not she had decided to accept the offer. So, exactly what my job description/duties will be is subject to change depending on how the office practice may be restructured, but I'm flexible. And, new challenges and changes are always fun.
Still, too funny about how God decides to do things.
Even funnier, I had no idea that I would be receiving this phone call a couple of hours after I logged on to begin writing this post this morning.
I'll have to call the y-chromosome person and let him know. He's at work, so I'll make it after all of the administrative "powers that be" have left grounds for the day... which should be around 3:30 as it's Friday. Was planning on calling him later today anyway to suggest that he pick me up tomorrow after work and drop me back home Sunday morning on his way back to work. As he won't stay here because he's worried that the German Shepherd dog would bark at him.
Oh, he is so going to love the male Jack Russell Terrier that I gift to him. I am greatly anticipating the 5-pound dog standing in the middle of the bed barking and growling and telling him "my mommy!" I am also anticipating the dog vs the expensive leather living room furniture (if only in my dreams!! ~evil laugh and wicked grin~).
It's time to get moving on some lunch for the kiddos.
More later....
I'm currently doing in-home care for an autistic child (more on that later) and grossly under-employed, yet it's a job so I'm not complaining.
Classes and the ensuing ton of nursing school homework/busy-work are keeping the guy far busier than I would like. But, we're still together... it has been a year. I'm certain that none of the people who know us would have thought that with the major differences in our personalities that we'd have made it together this long.
I am still a bit dismayed with the cultural/male attitude that I'm an "assumed acquired commodity" but hey... I was at his place the other night, and he had to run out to pick up notes from a classmate. I was left at the apartment to my own devices (another first that reiterates that I'm equated to "acquired commodity status") while he ran. He returned and assumed the position in front of the computer for the next round of the previously mentioned busy-work. I watched a bit of the news on the 43-inch LCD TV that gets recpetion on three channels (as it is connected, not to HD cable service, but a set of rabbit ears... omg, he is such a different one...), kissed him goodnight, and told him to wake me when he came to bed.
I had commented to him earlier in the evening that I'm not sure what he is going to do when we are at a point where he sees me daily as it will be so different from how things have been throughout our relationship to this point. I told him he will need to work three jobs in order for things to seem "normal." He laughed.
Tom came from California for a visit with Amanda and the kids. They spent a few days in Pennsylvania with family and attended a family reunion. Amanda was finally able to meet some relatively normal members of the family. Amanda has also determined that her parents are never allowed to be together in the same room - ever. We, her parental units, determined that as her dad only makes it here for a visit every three to five years, she will simply have to deal with it.
Amanda and Tom had gone out to shoot pool one night and managed to be home an hour before last call. OMG, he's getting OLD!! That never would have been the case, even 10 years ago! I had been watching the kiddos while they were out, and had just carried Gabe up to bed at 1:30am right before they got home. We were sitting around the living room talking and Amanda was seriously nodding on the love seat. Her dad told her to just go ahead and go up to bed as we would be OK without her. I reminded her that "after all, we are your parents." He laughed and she looked annoyed.
Al stopped in for a couple of brief visits while Tom was here. Olli also met her dad (having met Al the week before her dad's arrival in town). So, Olli was straight as to which dad he could and could not mention certain details. Always a major consideration when dealing with my two exes/her two dads.
YES!!! The phone call finally came!! FULLTIME EMPLOYMENT HAS APPEARED ON THE SCENE!!
The money isn't the greatest, but it's for a pediatric practice affiliated with Mt. Carmel Health Systems. Ergo, excellent benefits. One of the physicians has an integrated practice and does lots of special needs kiddos. And, I do really believe in the philosophy of Mt. Carmel - providing service to the under-served and disadvantaged. My health insurance will be about $28 a month and the 401K is available for enrollment immediately and matched fully to 3% and at half to 5%.
The best part about the position is how God worked it out. Especially as I hadn't even applied for this job!! Or even applied at this office.
I had emailed a resume for an office coordinator/nursing position at another practice affiliated with Mt. Carmel. How my resume came to be in the hands of this particular physician/office manager, I have no clue.
I went for an interview late one afternoon last week. The weather was miserably hot and humid - heat index near 100, with the actual temperature itself above 90 - and my daughter's van has no working air conditioning. So, what to wear for this interview was quickly becoming a dilemma. Being that I'm very much a "what you see is what you get" person, it was even more of a challenge.
I opted for a long, sleeveless rayon dress in a dark blue print. It was nice enough to look good, still me, and weather-survivable.
On being ushered into the back office, the physician greeted me first. She stated that she had not intended to even be present for my interview as she had a previous commitment, but when she had seen me in the waiting room, she KNEW that she simply had to meet me.
As it turns out, her previous commitiment was the charity medical clinic that is organized and run by one of the larger, nondenominational churches in the area. The large nondenomination church that is right up the road, pretty much, from the large nondenominational church with which I am affiliated. So, it turns out that we're on the same page on the important things.
You just have to love how God chooses to do things.
His way. His timing. His purposes.
I will be primarily this physician's nurse, though there is another physician in the office - with a completely different type of practice (again, another more on that later), and they are looking to add a fulltime nurse practitioner to the practice. The offer had already been made to the nurse practitioner, but there was no word yet (as of my interview day) on whether or not she had decided to accept the offer. So, exactly what my job description/duties will be is subject to change depending on how the office practice may be restructured, but I'm flexible. And, new challenges and changes are always fun.
Still, too funny about how God decides to do things.
Even funnier, I had no idea that I would be receiving this phone call a couple of hours after I logged on to begin writing this post this morning.
I'll have to call the y-chromosome person and let him know. He's at work, so I'll make it after all of the administrative "powers that be" have left grounds for the day... which should be around 3:30 as it's Friday. Was planning on calling him later today anyway to suggest that he pick me up tomorrow after work and drop me back home Sunday morning on his way back to work. As he won't stay here because he's worried that the German Shepherd dog would bark at him.
Oh, he is so going to love the male Jack Russell Terrier that I gift to him. I am greatly anticipating the 5-pound dog standing in the middle of the bed barking and growling and telling him "my mommy!" I am also anticipating the dog vs the expensive leather living room furniture (if only in my dreams!! ~evil laugh and wicked grin~).
It's time to get moving on some lunch for the kiddos.
More later....
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Life Goes On
I was awakened last Monday by a telephone call from Annie, the administrative assistant at our corporate office. (Translation: The secretary who secretly runs everything.) She was phoning me because the people who had volunteered to make the quilt from the blocks had no idea how to do such a thing. Her tone was almost that they (the supported living division) hated to put upon me to ask if I could do it. As I work for a separate division, and this was “their” project, not “ours.” In truth, I felt very honored to be able to be able to put these individual expressions into a singular, creative whole.
As I spent last week ill from the kiddie krud, staying with the rotation of ailing children who could not go to the babysitter’s, and still having to work over-time because I have no nurses/am short on competent nurses, I could not get started on the quilt until this week.
So, I have spent the last two days at the corporate office piecing the blocks together. And, I’ve had a wonderful time and received a bit of an epiphany.
Being a quilter, I subscribe to the methodology of modern quilt making. Rotary cutting, strip piecing…. Speed and precision is the name of the game.
It isn’t working with this quilt.
The squares of fabric had all been cut by hand. Not one of them is exact same size or shape. No uniformity what so ever. Some of the blocks that the clients made from the squares have embellishments that go completely to the edge of the block. No room for seam allowance.
So, I’m having to do this quilt the “old fashioned” way. Take each block individually, give it the particular attention that it requires in order to be able to piece it into the whole, and one-by-one, add it in.
As I was fidgeting with these blocks yesterday morning, it occurred to me that this quilt represents exactly what it is that we do as a company.
The individual blocks that our clients made are a personal, unique reflection just as each of them is a unique being with different interests and different abilities. Those blocks are just like all people. We are very similar, we all have the same basic components, but no two of us are alike. We are all a bit non-uniform and have our own particular quirks.
In modern quilt making, there are degrees of “one size fits all” methods of doing things. With this set of blocks as with our set of clients, there is nothing that is standardized and uniform and applied unilaterally. We must tailor each thing that we do for that particular individual to their particular needs. Just as I must take each individual quilt block and give it the particular attention that it requires.
This quilt is an exact representation of what it is that we do as a company. It was a very cool thing to realize that.
The supported living staff has been very appreciative of my efforts in assembling the quilt. The director of that division commented to me that their clients had simply fallen in love with me during the day of block making. I guess several of the clients had told their family members about me and the families had called the office to relay this information to the administrative staff, as to how appreciative they were that one of the nurses from another part of the company would come and take the time to do this type of activity. As I told Becky, I enjoyed making the new friends that I had made that day.
For me, being able to put this quilt together is an honor and a privilege. It took the office staff of the other division a couple of days to realize that. They had initially felt that in asking me to have to do this for them that I was being “put upon.” I am really glad to see that they have realized that is not the case.
Yesterday was May 6th, the one-year anniversary of my dad’s death. As I was running home at lunch time to grab a couple of more handy widgets from my sewing box in order to better work on some of these quilt blocks, I thought I should give my mom and my sister a call at the ice cream shop. Realizing the time, I figured I would wait until the lunch rush was over.
Just as I was pulling back into the parking lot at the corporate office, my phone rang. It was my baby sister. I told her I had thought about ringing her up but had decided to wait a bit. She asked if I was working. I told her I was at the corporate office working on the quilt. “I know you’re loving that,” she replied.
Everyone was meeting for dinner at 5:30. I told her that I had to pick Amanda up from work at 5:15 and wouldn’t be able to make it to dinner. She told me that they had set Dad’s headstone on the grave this last weekend.
His headstone, it would seem, is the only one in the entire cemetery that is truly facing the “right” direction. The cemetery borders a river. Everyone is buried with their feet towards the river. Therefore, all of the headstones are placed at everyone’s feet. You gotta love my mom…. Dad’s headstone is at the head of the grave with the information facing towards the river, towards his body…. Completely backwards from every other headstone in the graveyard! LMAO only my family!!
That’s what my Dad gets for wanting that plot right up by the road and having to have us drive by and see him every time we head to the house! Yes, I still think he’s an asshole for having done that to us intentionally. That’s OK; I wouldn’t want him to be any other way. As I drive by, I wave and say hi to him and cuss him for being such an asshole for doing that.
I made it through most of yesterday OK. It was the quilt that kept me busy and focused. At some point, I realized that the shirt I had grabbed from the top of the laundry basket and put on was my “ICU sweater” that I had crocheted last year when dad was in the hospital. I even managed to maintain after that realization.
The drive to pick Amanda up from work yesterday was longer than expected. Traffic on the interstate was at a dead stand still due to an accident. I had picked up the kids from the sitter’s, stopped by the house and told them to get something to occupy themselves with for the drive. By the time we piled back into the van, it was reported that there had been traffic accidents at BOTH of the alternative routes that I could have used. Just figures.
Off we went. It took 50 minutes to make what is normally a 12-minute drive. Getting home was nearly as nightmarish. We had left the house at 4:40pm and finally arrived back home around 6:15pm.
Things, being how things generally seem to go in my life, continued as “normal.” I think both of my cell phones may be ruined from being drenched by a single coffee spill. I have more paperwork and forms to update for work than I care to think about. My house seriously needs cleaned.
And, just to give you an idea of how bad things really are… I’m choosing the “cleaning house” option.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Of Chaos, Ghosts, and Miscellaneous Mayhem
I'm calling myself getting ready for work...
Nine Inch Nails' Ghosts I-IV is providing the background soundtrack. Google it for the reviews and opinions of Trent's decision to release the album independently via various download/torrent sites. After you have perused the particulars, download it and listen. I was sorely tempted to order the $75 Deluxe (or wtf-ever it was called) package. In the end, I opted for the $10 two CD package & the instant access mp3 download link. Though the pricier package satiated my Halo collection fetish more completely, the package I purchased was more suited to the impending changes in lifestyle. ...have laptop & DVD RWs, mp3 player & micro SD cards, digital camera, brown babies, pointy sticks & drop spindle... will travel...
I have been absent from this log for so long. I'm not sure where to begin with the "catch up." It isn't that I have not wanted to write. Existence simply got in the way of living for a while.
Work remains overwhelming at points. I could do with some Xanax a couple of times a week. However, I know that my physician's response to that request will be that I don't need to be working that job if it requires medication of that type in order to be able to do it.
Amanda was on the losing end of an auto accident involving a city bus a couple of weeks back. Only one of the five kiddos was in the van with her, fortunately. Unfortunately, he sustained a skull fracture and four tears in his colon which necessitated emergency abdominal surgery. Not one of the eight airbags deployed in the total of three collisions in this accident. You purchase a $40K kid kart with all these safety features for one reason. This is not looking good for General Motors.
I have continued to be relegated to the sidelines as a "study widow." Final exams finished this week. One week of respite to commence. I don't have as much comp time as I would like to have had, having used some of it with watching kiddos while my daughter was encamped at the hospital.
Winter seemed to have taken its final, dying gasp last weekend with the dumping twenty inches of snow in about 14 hours beginning in the wee hours of Saturday morning. The wind continued blowing too much on Saturday afternoon to make any attempt at moving the volumes of white stuff more than an exercise in futility.
I had run about for 12 hours Friday night in the blowing and ever deepening white stuff. When I went to warm my car Saturday morning for the drive home, I fell in the parking lot on my way to the car and wrenched my back on the left side.
In the Sunday afternoon calm, the shovelling began in earnest, and I wrenched my back on the right side. At least I was equally matched though quite in pain.
The temperatures climbed to near 50 on Monday and have remained there nearly all week. Most of the mountains of white stuff have disappeared with only a few scattered and dirty piles remaining.
I have been working more on the creative things.
Spring cleaning arrives this week.
An early jaunt in to work is at hand.
The fractal is Madness from Dream Tree Studio www.dreamtreestudio.com
Ciao.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Some Etc
It is a bit after 5am. My wake-sleep cycle is a bit more disrupted than I would have liked it to be. My granddaughter guilted me on Sunday with the, "but I never get to see you." So, I napped for a couple of hours between noon and 2pm, crashed hard before midnight, and was up all day yesterday. I have been up since around 3am.
I will have to get the little boys from the sitter's this afternoon. I may just keep them until Amanda gets home as Linda (the other grandmother) is having a new refrigerator and a new freezer delivered this afternoon. The two older kiddos underfoot is not as miserable a prospect in that scenario as the addition of the two wild boys would be.
It is official. Michael is out of the picture. He left Friday. In many ways it is more of a relief than anything else.
I had finished the throw that I was making him for his birthday yesterday. It was washed and dried and folded on the couch when he arrived unannounced yesterday evening at the house. He seemed very surprised to see me there. I was over doing some laundry for Amanda. Joni had commented that I should give it to him unfinished with the comment that I would have been glad to finish what I had started if he had been willing to finish what he had started. You gotta appreciate the perspective of your friends.
The threatened three to five inches of snow did not materialize. There is maybe 1 1/2" of the white stuff out there. Just enough to be a nuisance to driving and to keep the German Shepherd girl in "revolving door" mode.
For those of you who pray, please say a prayer for my coworker's daughter, Tracy. She is a young woman with pulmonary hypertension that is causing major and cumulative crises in her health. Most of the problems are secondary to the medications that she must take in order to stay alive. I would say "living," but she isn't able to be doing much living at this point. She has extreme weight loss and bone mass loss from the medications. Lots of pain and unable to walk. And, say a prayer for my coworker, Amanda, too. She is dealing with this and with an elderly father located several states away who has had a rapid onset of dementia over the last couple of months. Definitely serves to put much of my petty bitching and drama into perspective.
I suppose things are gradually coming along with my shift in duties and position at work. Not much has really changed. Most of the staff already knew to behave when I was on grounds.
My back and my leg are feeling better after being able to rest for a couple of days after the long week that last week was. I keep reminding myself that I am only going to have to do this for another year or so.
There has been a flurry of buying activity for yarns and beads this last couple of weeks. Gearing up and getting back into the swing of things. It is a welcomed respite. I feel best when I am "making."
On that note, my needles have been waiting patiently, and it is time to take them up.
I will have to get the little boys from the sitter's this afternoon. I may just keep them until Amanda gets home as Linda (the other grandmother) is having a new refrigerator and a new freezer delivered this afternoon. The two older kiddos underfoot is not as miserable a prospect in that scenario as the addition of the two wild boys would be.
It is official. Michael is out of the picture. He left Friday. In many ways it is more of a relief than anything else.
I had finished the throw that I was making him for his birthday yesterday. It was washed and dried and folded on the couch when he arrived unannounced yesterday evening at the house. He seemed very surprised to see me there. I was over doing some laundry for Amanda. Joni had commented that I should give it to him unfinished with the comment that I would have been glad to finish what I had started if he had been willing to finish what he had started. You gotta appreciate the perspective of your friends.
The threatened three to five inches of snow did not materialize. There is maybe 1 1/2" of the white stuff out there. Just enough to be a nuisance to driving and to keep the German Shepherd girl in "revolving door" mode.
For those of you who pray, please say a prayer for my coworker's daughter, Tracy. She is a young woman with pulmonary hypertension that is causing major and cumulative crises in her health. Most of the problems are secondary to the medications that she must take in order to stay alive. I would say "living," but she isn't able to be doing much living at this point. She has extreme weight loss and bone mass loss from the medications. Lots of pain and unable to walk. And, say a prayer for my coworker, Amanda, too. She is dealing with this and with an elderly father located several states away who has had a rapid onset of dementia over the last couple of months. Definitely serves to put much of my petty bitching and drama into perspective.
I suppose things are gradually coming along with my shift in duties and position at work. Not much has really changed. Most of the staff already knew to behave when I was on grounds.
My back and my leg are feeling better after being able to rest for a couple of days after the long week that last week was. I keep reminding myself that I am only going to have to do this for another year or so.
There has been a flurry of buying activity for yarns and beads this last couple of weeks. Gearing up and getting back into the swing of things. It is a welcomed respite. I feel best when I am "making."
On that note, my needles have been waiting patiently, and it is time to take them up.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Some Things
I was, in theory, to have been rescued from having to work all night. Just go in and do the original 4 hours that I was originally scheduled to work. I did. I finally got out of there at 1:30am. Drama and an admission. That will do it every time.
I have decided to go ahead and take the night supervisor position. The biggest menace and the one responsible for most of the problems in the nursing department has given a two-week notice. Being that she will be suspended for her two scheduled shifts next week, she will not be back. I was finally able to nail her conclusively for a medication error. It has taken time and diligence, but I finally got undeniable proof that she failed to give ordered medications. I'm sure she will fall back to her tactic of a threatened lawsuit. Won't work this time. I also found another nurse had made the exact same medication error the following day. She was also written up. Can you say, "We're done with this."
I have ranted before about them not giving medications correctly. I will state again, I have been a nurse for nearly 19 years, and I still pass my medications according to the medication list. - Every time! Yes, we are all human, and we all make mistakes. However, if you pass medications following the correct procedures, it doesn't happen that often.
It is coming up on 3am. I have to get the kiddos up and off to school in the morning. I was going to send the boys to the sitter's again tomorrow, but Gabe has been so off the hook these last couple of days. I think I will have to suffer with fatigue and frustration and keep him home. Not looking forward to that, but I'm sure the sitter would like a break, too.
Time for some sleep.
I have decided to go ahead and take the night supervisor position. The biggest menace and the one responsible for most of the problems in the nursing department has given a two-week notice. Being that she will be suspended for her two scheduled shifts next week, she will not be back. I was finally able to nail her conclusively for a medication error. It has taken time and diligence, but I finally got undeniable proof that she failed to give ordered medications. I'm sure she will fall back to her tactic of a threatened lawsuit. Won't work this time. I also found another nurse had made the exact same medication error the following day. She was also written up. Can you say, "We're done with this."
I have ranted before about them not giving medications correctly. I will state again, I have been a nurse for nearly 19 years, and I still pass my medications according to the medication list. - Every time! Yes, we are all human, and we all make mistakes. However, if you pass medications following the correct procedures, it doesn't happen that often.
It is coming up on 3am. I have to get the kiddos up and off to school in the morning. I was going to send the boys to the sitter's again tomorrow, but Gabe has been so off the hook these last couple of days. I think I will have to suffer with fatigue and frustration and keep him home. Not looking forward to that, but I'm sure the sitter would like a break, too.
Time for some sleep.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
The Saturday Scenario
Good morning!
It is Saturday. I'm chilling with the grands while the parental units are working. I work later. Instead of going in at 11am, I will be going in at 3pm. Tomorrow, I will not be working at all. Both changes due to people adding themselves on the schedule after I had picked up the remaining hours. Works for me. Four fewer hours of running around in the cold today, and a day off tomorrow to clean my house! Yea! I have been wanting one of those. You know it's a sad state of affairs when I'm looking forward to cleaning house.
The grapevine has gotten wind of my having been offered the night supervisor position. One of the QMRPs congratulated me the other day. I asked how he had heard of it. From one of his staff, of course. LOL He said that the staff had been very positive about the news. I would imagine that the only people who would not be happy to hear that I have been offered the position are those same people who have problems with doing their jobs in the first place and would subsequently have a run-in with me about their job performance.
I'm a very straight-forward person. I operate from the simple philosophy learned in the Marine Corps. Everyone here is an adult. You know your job. Do your job. Period. It's not a hard concept. If you are unsure of what to do, I'm willing to help. I'm willing to mentor. I am always mentoring my staff. I believe that learning better ways to turn people with decreased mobility is just as important as learning more about the new medication or the new diagnosis that someone may have. I have a good rapport with the majority of my coworkers. The ones with whom I do not have a good rapport are those who simply refuse to "get it." They are few, thankfully. Generally, their days are numbered, but we have had a few who managed to keep slipping through the cracks way longer than they should have. A couple of nurses to be included in that statistic.
Just phoned work to make sure they knew I was coming at 3pm rather than 11am. The lights have been out for 2 minutes or so. Has me wondering what's up with the back-up generator, but it's OK. Brian is there. Jane is as well. Sounds like I'm missing the party. LOL
I took a couple of Nyquil capsules last night at 9:15 and went to bed about 9:30. I was dead to the world until I opened my eyes at 7:30am this morning. I am going to have to remember to set my alarm clock if I take that stuff. I figured there was no way I would have slept for 10 hours straight. Shows you what happens when I think....
My electronic thermostat has developed issues. I had not turned it back down to 68 before going to bed and left it set at 70. This morning, it read that it was set at 22. As far as I know, there is no Celsius option on it. I think a trip to Home Depot for a plain dial thermostat may be in order. I have had one of those electronic ones go bad before. On a cold January morning during a holiday weekend to boot. I think that will be a good errand for my son-in-law this afternoon. LOL
I have only had to referee a couple of minor skirmishes thus far this morning. Not bad. Far below average when you consider the "Gabe factor." Jonathan has become "very three-years-old" and prone to the screaming and crying hissy fits without obvious provocation. Add in Isaiah's ADHD and Trinity's princess affectations, and it will always make for an interesting time. My home life differs far too little from my work life.
On that depressing note, I'm off to crochet on this throw that I'm making for my son-in-law.
It is Saturday. I'm chilling with the grands while the parental units are working. I work later. Instead of going in at 11am, I will be going in at 3pm. Tomorrow, I will not be working at all. Both changes due to people adding themselves on the schedule after I had picked up the remaining hours. Works for me. Four fewer hours of running around in the cold today, and a day off tomorrow to clean my house! Yea! I have been wanting one of those. You know it's a sad state of affairs when I'm looking forward to cleaning house.
The grapevine has gotten wind of my having been offered the night supervisor position. One of the QMRPs congratulated me the other day. I asked how he had heard of it. From one of his staff, of course. LOL He said that the staff had been very positive about the news. I would imagine that the only people who would not be happy to hear that I have been offered the position are those same people who have problems with doing their jobs in the first place and would subsequently have a run-in with me about their job performance.
I'm a very straight-forward person. I operate from the simple philosophy learned in the Marine Corps. Everyone here is an adult. You know your job. Do your job. Period. It's not a hard concept. If you are unsure of what to do, I'm willing to help. I'm willing to mentor. I am always mentoring my staff. I believe that learning better ways to turn people with decreased mobility is just as important as learning more about the new medication or the new diagnosis that someone may have. I have a good rapport with the majority of my coworkers. The ones with whom I do not have a good rapport are those who simply refuse to "get it." They are few, thankfully. Generally, their days are numbered, but we have had a few who managed to keep slipping through the cracks way longer than they should have. A couple of nurses to be included in that statistic.
Just phoned work to make sure they knew I was coming at 3pm rather than 11am. The lights have been out for 2 minutes or so. Has me wondering what's up with the back-up generator, but it's OK. Brian is there. Jane is as well. Sounds like I'm missing the party. LOL
I took a couple of Nyquil capsules last night at 9:15 and went to bed about 9:30. I was dead to the world until I opened my eyes at 7:30am this morning. I am going to have to remember to set my alarm clock if I take that stuff. I figured there was no way I would have slept for 10 hours straight. Shows you what happens when I think....
My electronic thermostat has developed issues. I had not turned it back down to 68 before going to bed and left it set at 70. This morning, it read that it was set at 22. As far as I know, there is no Celsius option on it. I think a trip to Home Depot for a plain dial thermostat may be in order. I have had one of those electronic ones go bad before. On a cold January morning during a holiday weekend to boot. I think that will be a good errand for my son-in-law this afternoon. LOL
I have only had to referee a couple of minor skirmishes thus far this morning. Not bad. Far below average when you consider the "Gabe factor." Jonathan has become "very three-years-old" and prone to the screaming and crying hissy fits without obvious provocation. Add in Isaiah's ADHD and Trinity's princess affectations, and it will always make for an interesting time. My home life differs far too little from my work life.
On that depressing note, I'm off to crochet on this throw that I'm making for my son-in-law.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
23:16 - Things Are Looking Up for 2008
I am thought to have survived the holiday season relatively intact. The familial and other associated celebratory gatherings were far less taxing to the soul than the unrelenting bullshit factor to which I was subjected as an occupational hazard.
My daughter is a warped one. I am not sure how it occurred (yeah, right). We were talking about the willingness of Americans to accept celebrations of other cultures. She has decided that the only reason Muslim observances are not embraced by Americans is because there is no drinking involved. Americans are all about diversity and multi-culturalism provided alcohol is a component of the celebration.
Went to work for 4 hours. Double-time. It works. I was out of there by 7:15p. The drive home took a bit longer than usual due to the blowing snow had the roads quite slick.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It is now Wednesday evening. I ran in and out of single-digit temperatures for 8 hours today. My feet are still numb. I hate this time of year. When the temperatures are this cold, I ache continuously. It isn't to the "time to take the morphine" ache yet, but it is getting close.
I have inherited my daughter's Welsh Springer Spaniel. Not my idea. Really. The dog that my son-in-law insisted they take 3 1/2 years ago when Jason could no longer care for it because it was soooooooooo attached to my daughter has been annoying to him for that very reason since the day they acquired her. "Velcro Dog." As I already have my own Velcro Dog, it has proved to be quite an up-my-butt fiasco these last 3 days. Mocha has come to visit and spend the night occasionally. She will run into my house with Addie and not want to leave until after Amanda has gone to bed, so she ends up spending the night. She even stayed the week when my daughter went to California a couple of years ago. Michael is just flat-out mean to her, so she was better off here. This is her third day here. It would seem that she has decided that she lives here now as she is challenging Addie for dominance. I have not informed Hindolo about the acquisition of Velcro Dog #2.
I inherited the dog because my daughter is getting two ferrets next week. One of the guys that my son-in-law works with knows a recent widower who wants to get rid of his deceased wife's ferrets. Being that Amanda absolutely adores ferrets, there was no question of her wanting to take them. The problem lies in the fact that Mocha loathes small, furry creatures of all types. She has killed a squirrel, an opossum, a couple of stray cats that she didn't want in the yard. She is suspected in the killing of one or more escaped hamsters during the short-lived "hamster phase" that occurred next door.
She has no problems with her own cats or with my cats. Only problems with those interloping cats. Ferrets and Mocha would not make a good mix. Being that the cats travel freely back and forth from one household to the other via a couple of gaps in the basement wall and through the plumbing access in the bathrooms, I imagine in won't be long before the ferrets figure out the passageways. As Mocha went through four owners in two years after her original owner died, neither Amanda or I have the heart to send her to someone else. She is not a bad dog, and she is happy here. So, I inherited her.
It would seem that the Nyquil is starting to do what it is that Nyquil does... I'm off to bed for now.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Thursday afternoon and I have been relieved of kiddo duty. I am going in for four hours this evening to fill-in due to a call off. I should not complain too much. It could have been 12 hours.
I have been asked, again, to consider taking the night supervisor position. Things have gotten so bad that I am to the point of seriously considering it. We have both staff and nurses that need to be gone. It is not something that I want to do forever. I certainly had other plans that I was considering for the next year while Hindolo finishes school. Sometimes the very reason that you do not want to do something is why you should do it. We have a nurses meeting scheduled towards the end of the month. I told Brian that I would make my decision and let him know before the meeting. I have a feeling my plan to work part-time weekend day-shift starting in February is in jeopardy. This is not going to be an easy decision by any means.
I queried four other nurses. Two were positive, two expressed reservations at my desire to not really want to do this. My mom thinks it's a good thing for me to do. Amanda said that my reasoning of being 46, single, no kids is exactly why I should consider doing this rather than not. I mentioned it to Hindolo, and he expressed some reservation about me working nights. It may simply be that he doesn't want me running around grounds alone in the middle of the night. We will talk more this weekend. I need to schedule an appointment with my doctor to see what she has to say about this idea before I make a decision.
The guy started back to class today. More classwork than clinicals this quarter but a comprehensive exam at the end covering the last three quarters in order to be admitted to the final year of the program. Oh how lovely will my life become here in about 8 or 9 more weeks?
I have much to think about here in the coming days. Personal changes are underway for eating and lifestyle. I suppose those would be my New Year's Resolutions, though I began to implement changes last year. I do want to do more with my design work and crafts. Last year was a total "bust." Just write it off and start with a clean slate. At the least, I'm headed into the new year on a positive note. That's always a good thing.
My daughter is a warped one. I am not sure how it occurred (yeah, right). We were talking about the willingness of Americans to accept celebrations of other cultures. She has decided that the only reason Muslim observances are not embraced by Americans is because there is no drinking involved. Americans are all about diversity and multi-culturalism provided alcohol is a component of the celebration.
Went to work for 4 hours. Double-time. It works. I was out of there by 7:15p. The drive home took a bit longer than usual due to the blowing snow had the roads quite slick.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It is now Wednesday evening. I ran in and out of single-digit temperatures for 8 hours today. My feet are still numb. I hate this time of year. When the temperatures are this cold, I ache continuously. It isn't to the "time to take the morphine" ache yet, but it is getting close.
I have inherited my daughter's Welsh Springer Spaniel. Not my idea. Really. The dog that my son-in-law insisted they take 3 1/2 years ago when Jason could no longer care for it because it was soooooooooo attached to my daughter has been annoying to him for that very reason since the day they acquired her. "Velcro Dog." As I already have my own Velcro Dog, it has proved to be quite an up-my-butt fiasco these last 3 days. Mocha has come to visit and spend the night occasionally. She will run into my house with Addie and not want to leave until after Amanda has gone to bed, so she ends up spending the night. She even stayed the week when my daughter went to California a couple of years ago. Michael is just flat-out mean to her, so she was better off here. This is her third day here. It would seem that she has decided that she lives here now as she is challenging Addie for dominance. I have not informed Hindolo about the acquisition of Velcro Dog #2.
I inherited the dog because my daughter is getting two ferrets next week. One of the guys that my son-in-law works with knows a recent widower who wants to get rid of his deceased wife's ferrets. Being that Amanda absolutely adores ferrets, there was no question of her wanting to take them. The problem lies in the fact that Mocha loathes small, furry creatures of all types. She has killed a squirrel, an opossum, a couple of stray cats that she didn't want in the yard. She is suspected in the killing of one or more escaped hamsters during the short-lived "hamster phase" that occurred next door.
She has no problems with her own cats or with my cats. Only problems with those interloping cats. Ferrets and Mocha would not make a good mix. Being that the cats travel freely back and forth from one household to the other via a couple of gaps in the basement wall and through the plumbing access in the bathrooms, I imagine in won't be long before the ferrets figure out the passageways. As Mocha went through four owners in two years after her original owner died, neither Amanda or I have the heart to send her to someone else. She is not a bad dog, and she is happy here. So, I inherited her.
It would seem that the Nyquil is starting to do what it is that Nyquil does... I'm off to bed for now.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Thursday afternoon and I have been relieved of kiddo duty. I am going in for four hours this evening to fill-in due to a call off. I should not complain too much. It could have been 12 hours.
I have been asked, again, to consider taking the night supervisor position. Things have gotten so bad that I am to the point of seriously considering it. We have both staff and nurses that need to be gone. It is not something that I want to do forever. I certainly had other plans that I was considering for the next year while Hindolo finishes school. Sometimes the very reason that you do not want to do something is why you should do it. We have a nurses meeting scheduled towards the end of the month. I told Brian that I would make my decision and let him know before the meeting. I have a feeling my plan to work part-time weekend day-shift starting in February is in jeopardy. This is not going to be an easy decision by any means.
I queried four other nurses. Two were positive, two expressed reservations at my desire to not really want to do this. My mom thinks it's a good thing for me to do. Amanda said that my reasoning of being 46, single, no kids is exactly why I should consider doing this rather than not. I mentioned it to Hindolo, and he expressed some reservation about me working nights. It may simply be that he doesn't want me running around grounds alone in the middle of the night. We will talk more this weekend. I need to schedule an appointment with my doctor to see what she has to say about this idea before I make a decision.
The guy started back to class today. More classwork than clinicals this quarter but a comprehensive exam at the end covering the last three quarters in order to be admitted to the final year of the program. Oh how lovely will my life become here in about 8 or 9 more weeks?
I have much to think about here in the coming days. Personal changes are underway for eating and lifestyle. I suppose those would be my New Year's Resolutions, though I began to implement changes last year. I do want to do more with my design work and crafts. Last year was a total "bust." Just write it off and start with a clean slate. At the least, I'm headed into the new year on a positive note. That's always a good thing.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
The Official 2007 Christmas Letter
TO: Friends, Family, Extraterrestrial Intelligent Entities, Charismatic Evangelicals, Devotees of Anime, Double-espresso Drinkers, Knitters for Political and Social Change
Salutations and such -
As I am sitting here with the non-Maoist Cultural Revolution Gang of Five and taking a break from finishing the last three-and-a-half inches of the turtleneck on my Christmas sweater, I pause to reflect on events of questionable relevance from the last year.
2007 was the year of disarray. If it was possible to be messed up, it was. If it was possible for it to be broken, it happened. Procrastination was the order of the day. Money went faster than it came.
Social blogging networks were the new prevailing distraction this year. I finally got around to doing a bit of something with my MySpace and Multiply pages. I still post to del.icio.us on occasion. Stumble Upon just didn't do it for me. I have yet to peruse Digg. (I feel I need to leave something for the new year.) I think I'm also on Facebook and Tagged. I gave up my memberships for the Pogo game site and don't miss it at all after it having been an internet staple for nearly 6 years. I gave up a couple of internet forums and joined a few more. Other than a couple of friends, I have completely disassociated myself with all people and things relating to The Way International.
I reconnected with some old friends and acquired some new friends. There are still a couple of friends that I need to reconnect with. And, I really need to quit being such a lazy ass and find a couple of people from years gone by.
The last time we were all together as a family was at my dad's funeral. Today we will be all together with my mom's new boyfriend.
I have met my soul mate, and he makes me crazy to the very depths of my soul.
My daughters are my daughters. In some ways consistency is good; in other ways it serves merely to make me wish I lived further away.
The summary of all that is that isn't is complete.
Wishing you a cool yule & a great 2008!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Sunday Night & Headed to Bed
The day started off with temperatures in the mid-50s and steady rain. It quickly became very windy and quite cold with the occasional snow-fluffy seen streaking by.
It made for a long day at work. After working the Friday overnight on only 2 hours of sleep followed by watching the gang o' five until 4pm yesterday while the kids shopped, I was pretty well burnt-out come 7pm tonight.
Still no hi/bye/thinking of you/fuck off/miss you/couldn't care less if you died from Hindolo. And Joni says I should email him a Christmas card anyway. Yeah. I'll get right on that.
I need to head to bed. I'm watching the kidniks tomorrow. That should be fun. I balked at the prospect of shopping tonight in the cold and was simply too exhausted to do it yesterday when relieved of the children. So, I will be headed to the fabric store with 5 children in tow on Christmas Eve day. Oh, what a blog that will make.
It made for a long day at work. After working the Friday overnight on only 2 hours of sleep followed by watching the gang o' five until 4pm yesterday while the kids shopped, I was pretty well burnt-out come 7pm tonight.
Still no hi/bye/thinking of you/fuck off/miss you/couldn't care less if you died from Hindolo. And Joni says I should email him a Christmas card anyway. Yeah. I'll get right on that.
I need to head to bed. I'm watching the kidniks tomorrow. That should be fun. I balked at the prospect of shopping tonight in the cold and was simply too exhausted to do it yesterday when relieved of the children. So, I will be headed to the fabric store with 5 children in tow on Christmas Eve day. Oh, what a blog that will make.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Another Effed Up Friday Morning & I Gotta Work Later
I should be sleeping. Not close to happening yet. I'm awaiting packages from FedEx and from the USPS. If I don't get to them before the hood rats do...
The Princess is at the sitter's with the little boys. When I dropped them off at school this morning, she was convinced that her mother had said she could stay home today because she "was sick last night." News to me. I made her get out of the van. In the middle of the parking lot then ensued the screaming hissy fit because she didn't have her backpack. I put her back in the van and took her to the sitter's.
My daughter is bitching because Rick didn't pay his child support and that bank account is overdrawn. Michael's check was $900+, and she isn't sure how she is going to be able to feed everyone this week, let alone buy Christmas presents. She's mad because I had an attitude about the Princess's behavior this morning.
Work is gonna be screwed up because Brian denied a request for a day off that wasn't submitted in time (Usually not a problem, except for the holidays when you pretty much have to stick to the policy because of the number of time off requests.) so we're pretty certain she is going to call off for tomorrow night, leaving me stuck to cover at least the evening portion of the shift and then be back in at 7am Sunday.
I am more than a little hurt that Hindolo hasn't bothered to try and call me back since I missed his call Tuesday. He hasn't even responded to the email that I sent him Tuesday after I missed his call.
All in all, it is shaping up to be a pretty miserable lead-in to Christmas.
Oh yeah, and happy winter solstice.
The Princess is at the sitter's with the little boys. When I dropped them off at school this morning, she was convinced that her mother had said she could stay home today because she "was sick last night." News to me. I made her get out of the van. In the middle of the parking lot then ensued the screaming hissy fit because she didn't have her backpack. I put her back in the van and took her to the sitter's.
My daughter is bitching because Rick didn't pay his child support and that bank account is overdrawn. Michael's check was $900+, and she isn't sure how she is going to be able to feed everyone this week, let alone buy Christmas presents. She's mad because I had an attitude about the Princess's behavior this morning.
Work is gonna be screwed up because Brian denied a request for a day off that wasn't submitted in time (Usually not a problem, except for the holidays when you pretty much have to stick to the policy because of the number of time off requests.) so we're pretty certain she is going to call off for tomorrow night, leaving me stuck to cover at least the evening portion of the shift and then be back in at 7am Sunday.
I am more than a little hurt that Hindolo hasn't bothered to try and call me back since I missed his call Tuesday. He hasn't even responded to the email that I sent him Tuesday after I missed his call.
All in all, it is shaping up to be a pretty miserable lead-in to Christmas.
Oh yeah, and happy winter solstice.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
~sigh~
I spent my day off doing pretty much nothing. I wanted to get into work at some point and review and fax some labs. I left Brian a voice mail around 3pm that I'd just come in early tomorrow and do it as I was pretty much depressed today.
The day started off pretty well. Had coffee with the daughter and drama with the grands. I'm knitting on the teal chenille sweater and sipping coffee while the five of them fuss over Nintendo DS games, who gets to drink the last of the apple juice, who should be sitting where at the table to eat their cereal... the usual stuff that goes on from wake up until lights out (and sometimes beyond lights out) at my daughter's house.
I came home and began to wind the skeins of vintage cotton/viscose yarn into hanks in order to wash it. It's beautiful yarn. White with a multicolored wrap of blues and pinks and purples and oranges and just a bit of a slub. It's somewhere between a fingering weight and a DK weight. I have 18 skeins of it and can't wait to use it. I'm not sure what to make with it yet, but it will surely be beautiful.
I was in the middle of bribing the cat with a piece of cotton yarn and some cat nip and trying to wind the first hank when a friend IM'd. We hadn't talked in a very long time. He's a great guy. I need to get back to Seattle just so I have an excuse to pop up to BC and visit him. lol
I was telling him that I'm only working part time now and am concentrating on my art. He replied that it was about time because I do beautiful stuff. (blushing) Finally, things are falling into place. I've found a great media outlet. I'm working on the web site. I have space available to me for the Gallery Hop... for free!! Space is so coveted there, and I land an "in" for free! How awesome is that?! Yesterday, after seeing one of the summer sweaters I had done, our Program Director at work asked me to please consider putting some consignment work in the new art studio that we're opening. Again, space for free. And, I don't have a problem with the consignment because the money that the gallery takes goes to the residents for Christmas and birthday presents and day trips and clothing and medical supplies and equipment that insurance doesn't pay for.
I told my friend that I was a little behind right now in getting things done because my dad just died recently. I had just got my web domain the day before my dad went into the hospital.
I told him that it really sucked because I was finally going to be able to do what I have been wanting to do for so long with my art and my dad isn't here to see it happen. That's when the reality of the fact that my dad is dead hit me.
So, I've been crying off and on today, in between winding and washing hanks of yarn, crocheting a button for and attaching the strap on Carol's tote. It's finished, now. Joni's poncho still needs trimmed and sewn together. I won some yarn auctions on eBay. I found a light pink bamboo yarn that will be perfect for Yama's sweater. I'm still looking for the yarn I want to make Martha's sweater with.
Brian wants me to do fabric panels for his kitchen, in addition to the cornice board and the pillows for the living room. I also came up with a really neat idea for his sliding glass doors in order to get rid of those horrendous vertical blinds. I ran the idea by him yesterday and he loved it.
My fellow nurses also were made privy to my plastic bag obsession. Jane thought my ideas were very cool but asked what would even make me think of doing some of the things that I'm thinking of doing with the plastic grocery bags. I shrugged and told her that's just the way my mind seems to work. The strapping tapes from the boxes had her a bit lost though. lol However, they all thought that the use of the natural fiber and renewable source yarns and recycled yarns was a very cool thing. They have always sort of teased me about being the walking medical dictionary, but I am pretty sure that they had no idea that this "other" side of me existed. Sure, I wear my Docs and my Pendletons to work. My hair was down to my butt before I got it cut off and donated it two years ago. So, they sort of had an idea of who I really am away from work, but I don't think they had any clue that it was as dominant a part of my being as it really is. I guess they didn't realize that my Halloween costume was stuff from my closet and my makeup bag! lol
I didn't tell them about the "Linus blankets" for the orphanages in China or about the fact that a lot of the wool yarns that I buy on eBay aren't for my work but are for charity projects. Or that I'm getting ready to sit down and do a bunch of sweaters for the red sweater anti-war art project. Or that I've ruined many a crochet hook crocheting with wire. lol I guess I'll just send them to my website when it's up the first part of next month.
For now, I'm off to wind some more yarn into hanks and think about new uses for tyvek and corks from wine bottles.
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