Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
In memory of Toothy . . .
Droopy . . .Brownie . . .Toothy
We lost a little piggy this morning . . .Toothy was one of the three brothers we brought home from the guinea pig rescue--the one who dove off the table and broke all of his teeth off the first day we had him--thus the name Toothy. We had to hand feed him for a week or so until his teeth grew back. Now we just have Droopy left as we lost Brownie early on to sickness about a year and a half ago. I think after the Droopy goes we will not get any little critters for a while. We had a good run with these little guys and now we've got big Pups to deal with as well.Just thought I would share.
Update-how's that for creative!`
Ok, so here goes-
1. I am still not feeling all that great, though I am a bit better. Surgery is scheduled for Monday afternoon, and should be a go unless I deteriorate quickly which is not likely. My parents are coming in tomorrow as the surgery is scheduled for the same time that I was to be at the airport getting my brother off the plane from his visit to see my other brother. DP will now go get him, and dad will go with me to the hospital. Having my parents here will be its own kind of stress, but they are fairly good caretakers in these types of situations . . .though if mom calls one more time to ask about food I will have to scream. Mom said she didn't want me to be stressed about the menu like I was last Christmas, and I reminded her that I wasn't stressed about it, but her daily calls to check on what we were having, what the plans were, was the shopping done . . .THAT is what was stressful! I told her this past week that I would have her a menu by this weekend, and she promptly called Wednesday and told me I had taken too long and she informed me of what the plan would be . . .hello, NOT THE WEEKEND MOTHER! Oh well. I am glad they are coming to help out. They were supposed to come Tuesday anyways, and they will leave Saturday.
2. As you may or may not know, I am currently working as a social worker in a grant funded position which was originally set to end funding in June, but they got an extension until the end of January. I have been wondering what was going to happen with me and a job as of January, and we met before my trip to San Diego and we agreed that I would start worrying at the end of November. Fast forward to last week when a friend that works at a place that I worked at for 6 years called and said there was a social work position available in their school and would I be interested in interviewing for it.
Now, a little background about this place. It is a residential facility and a school for children and adults who have autism, traumatic brain injury, developmental disabilities, etc. I started working there in 2000 and worked my way up in the course of 6 years. I was very well respected there, and left a very good impression on them. I enjoyed my time there, though at the end the last position I had was a bit rough-but I think that was because the program I was in was in its infancy and there was a lot of kinks to work out. Then I had to finish my masters and then there wasn't an appropriate position for me and I left. DP continued to work there for a bit after I left, and then she too left. Every time I went back, I would be constantly stopped by staff to ask how I was and to chat with me.
I went for an interview on Wednesday, and they offered me the job at the end asking me to let them know by Friday what I was going to do. I would be working in the school as a social worker--a lot of transition planning and family counseling. The money is good, and the hours would be 8-4 ish . . .no on call, no weekends unless I need to meet with visiting families. It is 16 minutes from my house, and in the middle of the country with horses and I can bring the dog. Yeah, this is a place where the two top in charge have dogs running around and it is not uncommon for dogs to be in classrooms and offices. I suggested they start a doggie day care and the vocational rooms could help run it and the CEO said that was a great idea . . .we'll see.
In any case, I accepted the position and will start full time in the middle of January. I then had to talk to my current supervisor about it-who started this whole thing when last Monday I asked her--"So, If a job happens to come my way, what would you suggest?" She told me that I should look into it. I took that as permission and reassurance that they really had nothing for me after January. She took the news well, and asked me if I would stay on as a contractor to keep the program going on a night/weekend basis for 8 hours a week. I will probably do this so at least I can still help out, and it is extra money for me.
I am excited about the opportunities that this new job can have. DP asked me if I was sorry that I took the job I have now, and I said absolutely NOT. I have learned so much in this job that I wouldn't trade for anything. I remember being so scared about doing home visits and working in the city with the population that I do, and now I am honored to have been in this situation. It will all be helpful--especially if they move me to the Director of Social Services role, which they talked about happening. Right now I would be the only SW so being a director now would be pointless, but they are looking to bring in a part time SW for the adults.
All very exciting. I am definitely feeling better knowing that I will have a steady job lined up, and that while the job itself will be new, the people there really respect me and are so glad to have me coming back.
I should get going--we have a very long list of things to do today, and a puppy play date at 1pm. What fun!
1. I am still not feeling all that great, though I am a bit better. Surgery is scheduled for Monday afternoon, and should be a go unless I deteriorate quickly which is not likely. My parents are coming in tomorrow as the surgery is scheduled for the same time that I was to be at the airport getting my brother off the plane from his visit to see my other brother. DP will now go get him, and dad will go with me to the hospital. Having my parents here will be its own kind of stress, but they are fairly good caretakers in these types of situations . . .though if mom calls one more time to ask about food I will have to scream. Mom said she didn't want me to be stressed about the menu like I was last Christmas, and I reminded her that I wasn't stressed about it, but her daily calls to check on what we were having, what the plans were, was the shopping done . . .THAT is what was stressful! I told her this past week that I would have her a menu by this weekend, and she promptly called Wednesday and told me I had taken too long and she informed me of what the plan would be . . .hello, NOT THE WEEKEND MOTHER! Oh well. I am glad they are coming to help out. They were supposed to come Tuesday anyways, and they will leave Saturday.
2. As you may or may not know, I am currently working as a social worker in a grant funded position which was originally set to end funding in June, but they got an extension until the end of January. I have been wondering what was going to happen with me and a job as of January, and we met before my trip to San Diego and we agreed that I would start worrying at the end of November. Fast forward to last week when a friend that works at a place that I worked at for 6 years called and said there was a social work position available in their school and would I be interested in interviewing for it.
Now, a little background about this place. It is a residential facility and a school for children and adults who have autism, traumatic brain injury, developmental disabilities, etc. I started working there in 2000 and worked my way up in the course of 6 years. I was very well respected there, and left a very good impression on them. I enjoyed my time there, though at the end the last position I had was a bit rough-but I think that was because the program I was in was in its infancy and there was a lot of kinks to work out. Then I had to finish my masters and then there wasn't an appropriate position for me and I left. DP continued to work there for a bit after I left, and then she too left. Every time I went back, I would be constantly stopped by staff to ask how I was and to chat with me.
I went for an interview on Wednesday, and they offered me the job at the end asking me to let them know by Friday what I was going to do. I would be working in the school as a social worker--a lot of transition planning and family counseling. The money is good, and the hours would be 8-4 ish . . .no on call, no weekends unless I need to meet with visiting families. It is 16 minutes from my house, and in the middle of the country with horses and I can bring the dog. Yeah, this is a place where the two top in charge have dogs running around and it is not uncommon for dogs to be in classrooms and offices. I suggested they start a doggie day care and the vocational rooms could help run it and the CEO said that was a great idea . . .we'll see.
In any case, I accepted the position and will start full time in the middle of January. I then had to talk to my current supervisor about it-who started this whole thing when last Monday I asked her--"So, If a job happens to come my way, what would you suggest?" She told me that I should look into it. I took that as permission and reassurance that they really had nothing for me after January. She took the news well, and asked me if I would stay on as a contractor to keep the program going on a night/weekend basis for 8 hours a week. I will probably do this so at least I can still help out, and it is extra money for me.
I am excited about the opportunities that this new job can have. DP asked me if I was sorry that I took the job I have now, and I said absolutely NOT. I have learned so much in this job that I wouldn't trade for anything. I remember being so scared about doing home visits and working in the city with the population that I do, and now I am honored to have been in this situation. It will all be helpful--especially if they move me to the Director of Social Services role, which they talked about happening. Right now I would be the only SW so being a director now would be pointless, but they are looking to bring in a part time SW for the adults.
All very exciting. I am definitely feeling better knowing that I will have a steady job lined up, and that while the job itself will be new, the people there really respect me and are so glad to have me coming back.
I should get going--we have a very long list of things to do today, and a puppy play date at 1pm. What fun!
Friday, November 21, 2008
High School . . .
Thanks Lyn! Another thought provoking post from me . . .
1. Did you date someone from your school? Nope
2. Did you marry someone from your high school? Nope
3. Did you car pool to school? When my bro was a senior he drove me, but other than that I was on bus 16!
4. What kind of car did you have? I had a Chevy Cavalier
5. What kind of car do you have now? Saturn
6. It's Friday night...where are you now? Wondering when it is bedtime, watching TV
7. It is Friday night...where were you? Marching band, or getting high--depending on the season
8. What kind of job did you have in high school? I worked at McDonalds
9. What kind of job do you do now? Licensed Social Worker
10. Were you a party animal? nope
11. Were you considered a flirt? nope
12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Marching, concert, AND jazz band!
13. Were you a nerd? nope
14. Did you get suspended or expelled? sadly, yes. several times .. .
15. Can you sing the fight song? uh, nope.
16. Who was/were your favorite teacher? I liked Mr. Miller for Spanish--he was nice. Mr. White was my favorite--anyone who can make history fun is good in my book. I had him in 8th grade and then again in 10th.
17. Where did you sit during lunch? I usually went to the band room and ate, or i didn't eat
1. Did you date someone from your school? Nope
2. Did you marry someone from your high school? Nope
3. Did you car pool to school? When my bro was a senior he drove me, but other than that I was on bus 16!
4. What kind of car did you have? I had a Chevy Cavalier
5. What kind of car do you have now? Saturn
6. It's Friday night...where are you now? Wondering when it is bedtime, watching TV
7. It is Friday night...where were you? Marching band, or getting high--depending on the season
8. What kind of job did you have in high school? I worked at McDonalds
9. What kind of job do you do now? Licensed Social Worker
10. Were you a party animal? nope
11. Were you considered a flirt? nope
12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Marching, concert, AND jazz band!
13. Were you a nerd? nope
14. Did you get suspended or expelled? sadly, yes. several times .. .
15. Can you sing the fight song? uh, nope.
16. Who was/were your favorite teacher? I liked Mr. Miller for Spanish--he was nice. Mr. White was my favorite--anyone who can make history fun is good in my book. I had him in 8th grade and then again in 10th.
17. Where did you sit during lunch? I usually went to the band room and ate, or i didn't eat
18. What was your school's full name? Stroudsburg High School
19. When did you graduate? 1995
20. What was your school mascot? Mountie
21. If you could go back and do it again, would you? Nope--it was awful!
22. Did you have fun at Prom? Didn't go
23. Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with? didn't go
24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion? nope
25. Do you still talk to people from school? Thanks to facebook I have reconnected with some
26. What are/were your school's colors? Maroon and Gold
19. When did you graduate? 1995
20. What was your school mascot? Mountie
21. If you could go back and do it again, would you? Nope--it was awful!
22. Did you have fun at Prom? Didn't go
23. Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with? didn't go
24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion? nope
25. Do you still talk to people from school? Thanks to facebook I have reconnected with some
26. What are/were your school's colors? Maroon and Gold
27. What grades did you make? Mostly A/B's, but I failed a marking period of Chem once.
28. What was your favorite class/subject? Creative writing and languages (spanish and french)
29. Did you belong to any clubs? Spanish club, peer counseling (though i am not sure how the hell they thought i was competent enough to do this, but they chose me . . .), Student's with a testimony,
30. Were you popular? dear god no. i have more friends now from high school through facebook then i did in high school.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Easy Post for sick, snowy days . . .
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? A combination of both depending on the item . . .
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving Day!
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually by the beginning of February
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Cabbage Patch Dolls
7. Hardest person to buy for? My parents
8. Easiest person to buy for? My brother
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Sort of, we have the Precious Moments Sugartown and it has a nativity, but we don't have a sperate set up.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail-didn't think you could or should email holiday wishes . .
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Any gift that was also supposed to be my birthday gift!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? not sure . . .
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I sort of shop all year round
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yuppers
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Homemade cookies
16. Lights on the tree? Yes, white ones. And they don't move either . . .can't stand moving/blinking lights
17. Favorite Christmas song? Drummer Boy or O, Holy Night
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Both, depending on the year
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? probably not
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Chrismas morning-though when I was a kid we would do some on Christmas eve at grandma's house.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Commercialism . . .got have MORE MORE MORE
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Ornaments that have meaning . . .
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Whatever . . .I think we had pot roast last year and it was good
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? an uneventful trip to WI where I don't get injured--and maybe a new blackberry or iphone . . .
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving Day!
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually by the beginning of February
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Cabbage Patch Dolls
7. Hardest person to buy for? My parents
8. Easiest person to buy for? My brother
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Sort of, we have the Precious Moments Sugartown and it has a nativity, but we don't have a sperate set up.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail-didn't think you could or should email holiday wishes . .
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Any gift that was also supposed to be my birthday gift!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? not sure . . .
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I sort of shop all year round
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yuppers
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Homemade cookies
16. Lights on the tree? Yes, white ones. And they don't move either . . .can't stand moving/blinking lights
17. Favorite Christmas song? Drummer Boy or O, Holy Night
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Both, depending on the year
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? probably not
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Chrismas morning-though when I was a kid we would do some on Christmas eve at grandma's house.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Commercialism . . .got have MORE MORE MORE
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Ornaments that have meaning . . .
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Whatever . . .I think we had pot roast last year and it was good
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? an uneventful trip to WI where I don't get injured--and maybe a new blackberry or iphone . . .
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Hiding . . .
I am hiding for a bit--be back soon. I should be back around this weekend. Then my surgery is Monday so I will be out for a few days. Hope all is well in your corners.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
The internet is BAD!
The internet is very bad for wandering eyes like myself who search on You Tube for sinus surgery. BAD BAD BAD . . .I am canceling the surgery right now . . .ok, I know that is rash . . .but still you should SEE what they do to your nose innards . . .
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Not so thankful Thanksgiving-
Guess who is having surgery the day after Thanksgiving? I went to see the surgeon today, and after ruthlessly shoving a tube in my nose, he determines that I have very large cysts taking residence in both of maxillary sinuses. Apparently you could see the invaders while he was in there, but I was tearing up and couldn't keep my eyes open. He said there was very little to do but remove them.
Now, he said it shouldn't be as bad as the last surgery where he had to make my sinus cavities larger and fix the septum. There's a possibility he can do the whole thing through the scope and get both cysts out. Then again, he said that because of the size he might not be able to get them very easily. In that case the best way to get the suckers out is through my mouth. Yes, I know, doesn't that sound horrid? It is called a caldwell luc procedure--check out the photos if you dare . . .The first option would have me laid up for a few days, the other he said about a week. I asked him if they both would require the nasty nose vacuum, and he said they would. Sheesh . . .the second type has a better chance of eliminating the cysts and preventing them from coming back like they did this time.
So I figured I would need to have the surgery well in advance of flying for Christmas, and this was the best time we could come up with. Darn it . . .
On another note, they had the computer on with the pictures of my brain, and it was neato to see by brains and eye balls and stuff from the MRI. Looks just like it does on TV.
Now, he said it shouldn't be as bad as the last surgery where he had to make my sinus cavities larger and fix the septum. There's a possibility he can do the whole thing through the scope and get both cysts out. Then again, he said that because of the size he might not be able to get them very easily. In that case the best way to get the suckers out is through my mouth. Yes, I know, doesn't that sound horrid? It is called a caldwell luc procedure--check out the photos if you dare . . .The first option would have me laid up for a few days, the other he said about a week. I asked him if they both would require the nasty nose vacuum, and he said they would. Sheesh . . .the second type has a better chance of eliminating the cysts and preventing them from coming back like they did this time.
So I figured I would need to have the surgery well in advance of flying for Christmas, and this was the best time we could come up with. Darn it . . .
On another note, they had the computer on with the pictures of my brain, and it was neato to see by brains and eye balls and stuff from the MRI. Looks just like it does on TV.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Little Tyke . . .
So cute-I hate to leave him . . .he only wanted to hold MY hand the last few days in the parking lot, and her has been so snuggly . . .he says he won't fit in my suitcase though and refuses to try. Stubborn 4.75 year old . . .
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