tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42751280209225715072024-02-22T11:10:32.159-05:00Theres a Hippo in my Tub...And other things I never thought
I would say until I became a mother!
Sharing the adventures I have as a single mom and glorifying God through it all.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.comBlogger300125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-77971034871895593462016-05-01T23:40:00.001-04:002016-05-01T23:40:09.463-04:00Absentee Author Its been awhile. And I regret not writing for the past 15 months. <br />
<br />
Many memories that I have lost because they were not journaled. <br />
<br />
We have been in CT for over 2 years now. Life is good. <br />
<br />
Actually, life is wonderful. <br />
<br />
I love my job (I have a new one - at the same company - but new position...more on that later). <br />
<br />
I'm back in school. <br />
<br />
Kids are settled and are active in many clubs, sports, etc. <br />
<br />
I've been wanting to catch up here for awhile but I forgot the password, and I didn't know how to jump in and start writing again. <br />
<br />
More to come....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-27004203339417703962014-12-30T19:22:00.003-05:002014-12-30T19:28:00.068-05:002014: The Most Unexpected At the close of 2013 I wrote how it was the hardest year and yet the best year. <br />
<br />
When I wrote those words, I had no idea what was around the bend. I had no idea that I would be called in for more interviews. That I would get the job offer and that in a few short months my world would be turned upside down. <br />
<br />
When I went back and read over my last post in 2013, I somehow get the feeling that I knew 2014 was going to be great. Or maybe I was just hoping desperately that 2014 would be better because if it was anything like 2013 I wasn't sure if I could handle it. <br />
<br />
It turns out 2013 was so rough because God was pruning me for the future. It's like that sometimes, isn't it? We don't realize that the hard times are just God cutting things away so when we need to blossom, we can blossom to our full potential. The hard times just feel...well...hard. <br />
<br />
I honestly don't know how to put it into words when I look back over 2014. How do you appropriately write how amazing life has been and all the wonderful gifts God has given? <br />
<br />
He provided me with an incredible job. A job where I can grow into the person He meant for me to be. I've only been there for 8 months, but I already have become a much, much stronger person. I have incredible managers and leaders and am so very excited for the next year(s) to see where this path takes me! <br />
<br />
I was able to buy a home in Ellington. This is a miracle in itself. After I sold my home in Ohio, I wasn't sure when I would be able to purchase a home again. But because of some wonderful people giving me opportunities I was able to buy a house. My brothers and sisters in Christ jumped in and remodeled the house into a gorgeous home for my children and I. I hadn't realized my kids were desperately wanting a place that they could call their own and the stability it would bring. <br />
<br />
The kids have settled into life in Connecticut easily. It wasn't without its rough times, tears, and moments where I wanted to give up. But time has a way of working things out. The kids have found the places where they fit in and are doing wonderfully. Riley had the hardest time (isn't being 12 difficult in the best of circumstances?) but recently he said "Mom, when we were in Ohio over Thanksgiving, by the end of the week, I was ready to come home." <br />
<br />
*****<br />
Another miracle is that I was able to purchase us a new to us car. Jack the Jetta was tired from all the miles I made her go. Two family friend mechanics told me this summer that I needed to get rid of her or at least not drive her between Ohio and Connecticut. That was 2 trips ago.<br />
<br />
I had been looking into types/costs of vehicles since June and I knew what I wanted. After Jack making an awful racket and her gauges and dash board lights going crazy while driving through Pennsylvania, I decided I should do a bit more than just browse vehicles online. <br />
<br />
I was just going to test drive a few cars, narrow it down, and then buy something in the spring. But God had something for me sooner. I found a car online at a local dealership, went in to test drive it but they had already sold it. So I drove another one. <br />
<br />
I loved it. <br />
<br />
I called a few people to give me 'wise counsel' on cars and they both said "GO FOR IT!"<br />
<br />
The next day (Saturday) I told the dealership I would be back in Monday morning to drive it again and crunch numbers. I went back in Monday but they had sold it Saturday night...BUT the original one I wanted was back. The person purchasing it couldn't get her financing so the car was back on the lot. <br />
<br />
I drove it for an hour or so and after a few hours of negotiating, we made a deal and I drove back to moms with my new to me car! <br />
<br />
I feel guilty for having it. Kept thinking that I could've pushed Jack a little further, but the Jetta wasn't safe anymore and Riley had to sit sideways in the back seat to fit. I just feel guilty having something nice when so many have nothing. <br />
<br />
I'm excited to have a car that is safe and also has enough seating to take extra friends with us if we need. <br />
<br />
****<br />
2013 I was pruned...cut back.<br />
<br />
2014 I was given much. <br />
<br />
Looking back over both years, I am thankful for it all. I'm thankful for the hard times because it makes the good times that much better. Without our valleys of life to look down on, sitting on the mountain top wouldn't be as sweet.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure what is around the corner. But I'm not concerned. I've been through hard times and have learned to appreciate those times. <br />
<br />
Life is certainly not perfect, but it is most certainly good. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-83736592819908925312014-12-03T23:50:00.002-05:002014-12-03T23:50:38.942-05:00The Pause That Refreshes Tonight on the way home from Parent-Teacher Conferences I breathed a happy sigh. <br />
<br />
Things are good. <em>At this moment</em>, things are good. <br />
<br />
I've lived enough life and had enough experiences to know that these good moments will only be there for a moment. So breathe them in while you can, because they won't last long. <br />
<br />
I was a bit nervous before the conferences. I always feel like these meetings are opportunities for teachers to tell you how you are failing as a parent. Ridiculous, I know. But that's how I feel. <br />
<br />
I had never been to a conference at this school yet and wasn't sure what to expect. I assumed each teacher would tell me all the assignments my kids were missing, how their reading log isn't always signed, and how I needed to be more active in their education. <br />
<br />
See, the kids come home from school everyday and do their work. I occasionally check it and sign the necessary reading logs, etc. But other than that...they are on their own. No micro-managing parenting going on here. I simply don't have the time and I need my kids to take ownership of their work. Its just what we do for us to survive. <br />
<br />
Instead of hearing that things were in a disasterous mess, I heard nothing but good. All the kids are on target for their grade and in some instances, the kids were ahead. <br />
<br />
Riley's teacher said he was respected and trusted by his classmates...that they look to him as a leader. He said that typically new kids come in nervous and scared and expected the same of Riley. He said he was surprised that on the first day he walked in with confidence and seems content to be who he is. <br />
<br />
Rhianna's teacher said she was a model student, active in the classroom both socially and academically. Truly a great kid to have in class and adjusting well. <br />
<br />
Reagan's teacher said he was a hard worker and can focus on his work. She said he will sometimes be the 'funny man' but while most kids are obnoxious when they do this, he isn't. That he is polite and respectful. <br />
<br />
I'm not writing this to brag about them, but to show myself how well they are adjusting. How they are finding their place in their new school and have the respect of the teachers and fellow students. <br />
<br />
And that felt good. <br />
<br />
As I drove out of the school parking lot, I took a breath. I was going to enjoy that moment in time. I know that good things won't last forever and we will soon be faced with more challenges. And I can accept that. We've conquered a lot and we will be required to conquer even more. <br />
<br />
But for now? For now I'm going to savor this. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-74805509851736294892014-11-13T23:01:00.002-05:002014-11-13T23:01:49.616-05:00His VisitI'm writing this for myself. <br />
<br />
So I don't forget this. <br />
***<br />
Tuesday morning I woke up to the sound of my alarm. <br />
<br />
I stumbled across my bedroom to shut off the noise. <br />
<br />
For a split moment, I had an excitement in my chest. <br />
<br />
My dad was coming to visit. <br />
<br />
Then I realized. <br />
<br />
It was just a dream. <br />
<br />
A dream that had taken me to Illinois to a friends wedding. A place where I saw Riley in the crowd and he told me Grandpa Dale brought him. <br />
<br />
I asked where he was (in the dream it wasn't weird that my dad brought Riley to this place) and that I wanted to see him. <br />
<br />
Because I missed him. <br />
<br />
As I searched the crowd, the familiar ache was there. <br />
<br />
The lonely ache that has taken up constant residence. <br />
<br />
A thought passed through my mind. <br />
<br />
I only missed him because I had moved. <br />
<br />
He lived in Ohio, I lived in Connecticut. <br />
<br />
No wonder I missed him.<br />
<br />
And all he had to do was come visit and I wouldn't miss him anymore. <br />
<br />
I could show him where I live. <br />
<br />
I could show him where I work. <br />
<br />
And maybe that would make him proud. <br />
<br />
I couldn't wait to find him and tell him the news. <br />
<br />
All he had to do was visit. <br />
<br />
My eyes scanned the crowd for his familiar face. <br />
<br />
I couldn't wait to find him. <br />
<br />
I knew he would hug me. <br />
<br />
And I am so lonesome for that hug. <br />
<br />
Then the noise came. <br />
<br />
And I woke up. <br />
<br />
I jumped out of bed. <br />
<br />
Excited that I could call him. <br />
<br />
And invite him. <br />
<br />
Then a millisecond went by. <br />
<br />
And I remembered. <br />
<br />
I don't miss him because I moved. <br />
<br />
I miss him. Because he's not hear anymore. <br />
<br />
It smacked me in the face like a cement wall. <br />
<br />
A reality I didn't want to face. <br />
<br />
I wanted to run back to bed. <br />
<br />
Crawl under the sheets. <br />
<br />
And race back to that dream. <br />
<br />
I wanted to see him. <br />
<br />
Wanted to talk to him. <br />
<br />
Wanted one more hug from him. <br />
<br />
But I couldn't. <br />
<br />
I had an early meeting. <br />
<br />
I knew I wasn't in the state of mind to get there in person. <br />
<br />
Thankful for technology that I could call in. <br />
<br />
Be present, without being present. <br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
Last night I dreamt again. <br />
<br />
I had a dream he came to visit. <br />
<br />
I showed him my house. <br />
<br />
I showed him where I work. <br />
<br />
And he said he was proud. <br />
<br />
But I didn't get a hug. <br />
<br />
That bear hug I so desperately need, but know is impossible to get. <br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
I don't know where these dreams came from. <br />
<br />
The only thing I can tie them to is Riley's birthday. <br />
<br />
The day he was born was hard, yet healing. And each year it brings back a flood of memories. <br />
<br />
It was hard because he was my dad's first grandchild. A grandchild I know he would have adored. <br />
<br />
Healing because that moment Riley was laid on my chest, I knew he would be like my dad and me...and would fill part of my heart that had been ripped apart. <br />
<br />
Maybe God let me have a visit from my dad. <br />
<br />
I don't know why or what has set it off.<br />
<br />
While it is hard to wake up in the morning...<br />
<br />
it is impossible to describe amazing to have these visits at night with my dad. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-49932440153621592482014-10-20T16:51:00.000-04:002014-10-20T16:51:09.580-04:00Just call me GrandpaReagan has a sweet little friend from church. He spends quite a bit of time with him; at church and otherwise. <br />
<br />
This sweet little, freckle faced, boy has a grandpa. <br />
<br />
This grandpa came to me one Sunday and said "I just love your family" He told me how he told Reagan that he could call him Grandpa. <br />
<br />
Last night I asked Reagan about it. <br />
<br />
He said "It made me grow another thing out of my heart. <br />
<br />
Not sure what that meant, I asked him to explain. <br />
<br />
He said: <br />
<br />
"You know how your heart isn't really shaped like a heart? <br />
But it has those things coming out of it?<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Those things grow </strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>when something or </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>someone makes you feel loved.</strong></span> <br />
Having him tell me that I could call him Grandpa made one of those things grow."<br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-60595959564765378082014-09-28T23:53:00.000-04:002014-09-28T23:53:00.473-04:00And then she turned tenMy little girlie turned 10 last week. <br />
<br />
Where did that decade go?<br />
<br />
We did the traditional 'balloons all over her bed while we sang to her' again, only this year she was awake and we made her lay back down and pretend to sleep so we could wake her up with the SURPRISE of balloons on her bed. <br />
<br />
She giggled and obliged. <br />
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We had friends over for dinner the Sunday night before her special day. A couple families with girls close to her age and a two couples who have taken us in as their own. We ate pizza and chicken and we were visiting when one of the men said "Let's finish up so we can leave the table." <br />
<br />
I thought it was a bit odd, typically we will visit a bit after we finish eating, but I shrugged it off and thought nothing of it. <br />
<br />
After we said our finish up prayer, he hands Rhianna a card. The front said "HAPPY BIRTHDAY RHIANNA" and inside was a note. It said they knew she liked trivia and for her birthday, they were giving her a few trivia questions. <br />
<br />
The answer to all the questions was the same thing...and their was a flap at the bottom of the card that when she opened it up, read 'Go look in Joe's truck for your gift'. <br />
<br />
The answer to all the questions was 'a bike' but I was thinking "there is no way they went together and got her a bike" (something she had been wanting very badly). We walked outside and opened the back of the truck and sure enough there was a brand new 18 speed bike. <br />
<br />
It takes a lot to make me cry, but right then I had tears. She has ridden her bike almost every single night since then. <br />
<br />
What she asked me for her birthday speaks volumes of her character. She asked for a day out with me. She didn't want anything else, just some one on one time. (Which made me feel guilty thinking I wasn't giving her enough one on one time). <br />
<br />
I knew she just meant, spend part of the day somewhere fun, but I wanted to plan something more. I had been to Newport, RI the summer before and toured the mansions and thought she might like it. <br />
<br />
We left early morning on Saturday with plans to spend most of the day in Newport. She had seen a few photos, but I knew she had no idea of how amazing this place is. <br />
<br />
It is a bit over a 2 hour drive and we chatted the whole way. She became more and more excited as we drove closer. I wish I could have taken a picture of her face when we finally climbed up the huge bridge that crosses into Newport. You look over parts of the Atlantic and the harbor is filled with sailboats. I can't think of a more beautiful place on earth. <br />
<br />
We found a little cafe to eat a quick lunch at before heading to the mansions. <br />
<br />
We found a fun surprise at the table. Something that reminded us of Ohio. <br />
<br />
SMUCKERS JELLY. <br />
<br />
We took a picture and texted it to Aunt Kate!<br />
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The first mansion we went to was The Breakers. It was the summer home of the Vanderbilts. I couldn't take any inside pictures, but keep in mind that these homes were only used for 8-10 weeks out of the year. </div>
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It reminded me of the mansion in The Sound of Music. So amazingly grand and surreal. I had to keep reminding myself that people <em>actually lived here. </em></div>
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This porch was on the second story of the house....right off the hallway from the bedrooms. </div>
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Imagine waking up to this view every morning. </div>
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I could get used to that!</div>
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I let her find a little trinket in the gift shop. </div>
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She picked out a Japanese fan that the Vanderbilt girls </div>
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would have used at a dance on a hot Saturday night. </div>
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We had to rely on selfies to get pictures of us together. </div>
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We had fun getting some pics on the porch. </div>
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They had a play 'house' out in the yard where the children would</div>
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have played in. This house is bigger than some of the </div>
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apartments I have lived in! </div>
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Next house we toured was 'The Elms'. </div>
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We did the servant life tour at this house and got to go upstairs to the third floor and see where the servants lived and learned more about them. If you ever make it to Newport, this tour is a must!!</div>
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We went out onto the roof top to see where the servants might slip out onto to grab fresh air or catch a break. We could see to the harbor and it was a gorgeous view!</div>
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When we first arrived at this house, we both had to use the bathroom. They hadn't changed much in it (except to make it more of a public place) so it still had the grand marble walls. </div>
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I couldn't help but take some selfies in the mirror to send back home to a few friends of mine because of a long time ago joke. How could I not? When would the next time I be in a multi-million dollar home and use the restroom? hah</div>
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We were getting tired after the tours at The Elms and was ready to get home. We were taking a few more selfies in the circular drive that is canopied by wistera when a French gentleman asked if he could take the picture for us. </div>
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We happily obliged. </div>
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To get to our car parked in the side lot, we had to walk through the back yard. </div>
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Oh what a view. </div>
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Showing off her birthday present!</div>
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My absolute favorite is the video I took of her. I asked her to tell me about her day. She said this: </div>
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"My name is Rhianna and I am ten. This (geturing with her hand) is my birthday present."</div>
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I decided at that moment to stop the video. </div>
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It was too cute. </div>
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She may have only gotten a few trinkets from me this year. But I hope that what she got what much more. I hope she remembers our day for the rest of her life. </div>
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I know I will and I can't wait for more days like this. </div>
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I've had this little girlie in my life for ten years. </div>
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It has been nothing but pure joy to be called her mother. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-72477847488603758752014-09-19T23:00:00.001-04:002014-09-19T23:02:52.227-04:00Zucchini 500Ellington has a farmer's market every Saturday at the park in the center of town. <br />
<br />
Each week they have a fun activity planned for the kids. <br />
<br />
A few weeks ago Rhianna was there and came home and said that she wanted to sign up for the Zucchini 500. <br />
<br />
She needed to build a car out of a zucchini to race. <br />
<br />
I sighed. <br />
<br />
My kids have big imaginations and think of no limitations to reality. <br />
<br />
I had no idea how to build a car (I'm not the most mechanically minded individual) let alone have the time to build it. <br />
<br />
But, Rhianna had her heart set on it and I was going to give it my best shot. <br />
<br />
Friday night rolls around. (I admit. I procrasitnated.) And we start building this thing around 10pm. <br />
<br />
I had been told by someone who saw this race last year, that the wheels don't have to be vegetables. Just the body of the car must be a zucchini. <br />
<br />
Rhianna told me that she knew there was no way she would win the fastest. (She knows me and my building skills all too well) so she was going to go for 'Most Healthiest'. And try to get the most variety of fruits and veggies as part of her car. <br />
<br />
We had the design finished and I was working on finding something for wheels. I tore apart one of Reagan's cars, hoping to use the axel.<br />
<br />
It wouldn't work. <br />
<br />
Next, I tried unscrewing the wheels off his Tonka truck, thinking a monster truck zucchini car would be fun. <br />
<br />
It wouldn't work. <br />
<br />
At this point (11pm) I was almost in tears. I felt like a failure..imagining all the other kids probably spent hours on this with their <em>dads</em> and would make our car look pathetic. I knew I was, once again, going to let my child down. I figured her car would fall apart (if I could even find wheels to make it roll) or it would be tacky or whatever. <br />
<br />
All I knew is that I dreaded the next day. <br />
<br />
While I was sitting there beating myself up, a thought came to mind. (I still cannot think what made me think of it). I remembered that she had a plastic scooter for her dolls. <br />
<br />
I ran in the bedroom and dug it out of the storage bin. I unscrewed the top part and set the zucchini on the base of the scooter. <br />
<br />
It fit perfectly. <br />
<br />
I tied the back part of the veggie with a multi-colored piece of yarn and the front was attached by a rubber band. <br />
<br />
<em>Stop laughing.</em> <br />
<br />
It was pushing midnight at this point and I was <strong>done </strong>for the day. <br />
<br />
The next morning we pulled in to the market and I had that sick feeling of dread. I figured all the other cars would look wonderfully put together and here was ours, stuck to plastic wheels with yarn and decorated with all kinds of fruits and veggies. I was waiting for the moment when she would realize that hers looked worse than all the others simple because her mom just doesn't have time. <br />
<br />
To my delight, as we walked closer, I noticed that all the cars looked pretty much the same. They were cars made out of a zucchini, after all. <br />
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The time for the race came closer and my little girlie was getting really nervous. <br />
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She paced until it was time for the race. <br />
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They had it set up where two cars would race...the winner going to the winners bracket and the loser going to the losers bracket. <br />
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Rhianna and Auntie Tricia</div>
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(Excuse the thumb) </div>
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<em>We were SO excited Auntie T was here to watch Rhianna race.</em> </div>
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Once they had the winner from the winners bracket, the winner from the losers bracket would come back to race the winner from the winners bracket and race it. If the winner from the loser bracket won; they would race one more time to beat the winner of the winners bracket to go on to win first place. (Are you confused yet?) <br />
<br />
I hoped Rhianna's car would make it down in one piece, once. <br />
<br />
All I wanted was for her to walk away feeling proud that she did her best, but not feeling like a failure. <br />
<br />
First race?<br />
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Believe it or not...<br />
<br />
She won. She smoked them. <br />
<br />
I'm not sure what emotion was stronger...excitement or shock that we actually won one race. <br />
<br />
As the races continued, I realized she <em>actually had a shot </em>at winning the entire shebang. <br />
<br />
There was one other zucchini that looked slightly faster than hers...it was roped onto a firetruck and was speedy as it beat every other car. <br />
<br />
The time came for Rhianna to race it. The first half of the track she was smoking it and then it happened...<br />
<br />
her car veered to the right and slightly rubbed against the wooden track snapping her rubberband. The car careened out of control and rolled to the end. <br />
<br />
She lost the race. <br />
<br />
Oddly enough, I was devastated. I was sure she was going to win; and upset at my flawed design. <br />
<br />
A man from the crowd came up to us and said "I have zip ties in my bag...here fix the car so she can race again."<br />
<br />
My first thought was "Who carries zip ties to a farmer's market?" but shrugged it off and accepted the kind offer. <br />
<br />
We fixed up her car and she was good to go. <br />
<br />
She made it through the losers bracket to come back to be the winner of the losers bracket. <br />
<br />
The time came for the first place race. <br />
<br />
It was her versus Mr. Firetruck Zucchini. <br />
<br />
The only car she had lost to. <br />
<br />
There was a large crowd gathered around at this point. Quite a few people in the crowd were from church (many came over while shopping at the market because they heard Rhianna's name announced). It was so wonderful to see so many people supporting her...not because they wanted her to win necessarily, but because they love her and want good things for her. <br />
<br />
She put her car up at the top of the race track next to Mr. Firetruck Zucchini. <br />
<br />
The race master lifted the wooden bar and off they went. <br />
<br />
AND SHE WON.<br />
<br />
I was shaking uncontrollably. <br />
<br />
I know. <br />
<br />
Ridiculous. <br />
<br />
But I had always failed my children in the past when it came to building things...and finally...for once their car was winning. <br />
<br />
The kids grabbed their cars and ran to the top of the track. <br />
<br />
The winner of this race would be the First Place Winner of the annual Zucchini 500. <br />
<br />
The block went up and....<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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SHE WON. <br />
<br />
SHE ACTUALLY WON. <br />
<br />
That shrill scream you heard at the end of the video?? That was her, so excited she won. <br />
<br />
After the race, the second place winner came up to her and shook her hand.<br />
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<br />
<br />
I was hugging her, almost jumping up and down. She was excited she won. <br />
<br />
I was excited I hadn't failed her (<em>once again</em>) because I couldn't build things. <br />
<br />
I looked up and saw a photographer taking our picture. The idea of us being on the Ellington Gazette (or whatever it is called) with me hugging her jumping up and down horrified me. I wanted to tell them <em>why </em>I was so excited. haha. <br />
<br />
(Note: The picture was not printed...at least to my knowledge it wasn't. Thank goodness.) <br />
<br />
I saw the zip tie man still standing in the crowd and I wanted to thank him once again. <br />
<br />
I went over to him and said: "You have no idea what you helping fix her car means to her. I'm a single mom...always failing when it comes to building things like this. Thank you for saving the day for her."<br />
<br />
His response made me stutter...<br />
<br />
"It was my son she beat out."<br />
<br />
Uh. um. What do you say to that?<br />
<br />
He continued on so graciously...he said "I'm glad she won. She deserved it. My son, he always wins, and needs to lose occasionally. "<br />
<br />
It wasn't a big deal...it was only a Zucchini 500...but it was a heartwarming story to me. That there are still a lot of really good people out there. <br />
<br />
She won a gift certificate to the market and a huge bag of kettle corn. <br />
<br />
Now she has a reputation to uphold. <br />
<br />
Next Saturday, the 27th, there is a Summer Harvest Drag Race. <br />
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And you can bet she is entering a pumpkin car!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-25595335649780052202014-08-13T23:35:00.002-04:002014-08-13T23:39:46.336-04:00"Ms. Williams, my thoughts exactly"If you have been anywhere any type of news lately, you will have heard that Robin Williams died this week. <br />
<br />
I know there have been a million and a half blog posts written about their view on it, their view on him, their view on suicide. <br />
<br />
I'm sick of it. <br />
<br />
I'm sick of it in my face. I'm sick of hearing people's stupid and ignorant opinions of something they know nothing about. <br />
<br />
This won't be one of those blog posts. <br />
<br />
I didn't know him (obviously) and therefore shouldn't be feeling as melancholy as I have. <br />
<br />
I know this. <br />
<br />
But I can't help it. <br />
<br />
News like this makes me sad. News like this affects me. News like this brings back a flooding of memories I don't want to relive. <br />
<br />
In the first moment of hearing he comitted suicide, I had that pit in my stomach, sick, black inky feeling that comes when I hear that ugly word spoken. <br />
<br />
Part of me is sad for me. For my generation. Growing up in the 90's, he was a major film star with many roles that impacted our culture and will forever be etched in our memories. He made us laugh and sometimes, even cry. In each of his films, you could sense that he had a deep soul, some depth to his thoughts, his emotions, and what drove his ability to make others laugh with such feeling. <br />
<br />
I feel things big. When I laugh. I laugh. But when I'm sad. I'm sad. There is no happy medium.<br />
<br />
Most days I'm thankful I feel big, but there are times that I hate it.<br />
<br />
I hate that painful news is like being stabbed in the gut and there is no escape. Even if that painful news isn't yours to hear. I hate that hearing of someone else's pain, hurts me, and only because I'm frustrated I can't soften their pain. I hate that hearing bad news that reminds me of my own heartache will affect me for days, and the only escape is time. <br />
<br />
And tears. <br />
<br />
Which is slightly ridiculous....crying over Robin Williams. <br />
<br />
In a way, the thought of Robin Williams not being here to make us laugh, <em>does</em> hurt my heart. <br />
<br />
But what really hurts are the reminders. The knowing how his family feels. The questions they are asking. The anger, the sorrow, the questions, the pain. <br />
<br />
it just plain hurts. <br />
<br />
I came across online a letter that was written by his daughter (or so it says she wrote it) and I was in awe that she wrote the words that I have been trying to form for years. <br />
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<em>"While I'll never, ever understand how he could be loved so deeply and not find it in his heart to stay..."</em> </div>
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This is one question I ask repeatedly. How could he (my dad) know that I loved him so deeply, but not find it in his heart to stay...</div>
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It is a question that there is no answer to. People can give pathetic attempts to answer it...with the concept that it will bring me comfort. But reality is, there is no answer. Or only one possible answer. But that is too painful to let the thought pass through my mind. So I stop it from crossing over my thoughts. </div>
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I am slowly healing, I laugh more than I cry, but most likely I won't ever complety heal. Some days I think I've moved on. Doing great, the stabbing pain has lessened. </div>
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<br />
Then I am reminded. </div>
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And find myself with tears silently and ridiculously streaming down my face while riding the bus into work after hearing about Robin. </div>
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I love how she closes her letter:</div>
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<em>"Dad was, is and always will be one of the kindest, most generous, gentlest souls I've ever known, and while there are few things I know for certain right now, one of them is that not just my world, but the entire world is forever a little darker, less colorful and less full of laughter in his absence. We'll just have to work twice as hard to fill it back up again." </em></div>
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I can't say that the entire world is a little darker because of my dad's death. I can only say that <u>my </u>world is <em>definitely </em>darker because of my dad's death. <br />
<br />
"Ms. Williams, my thoughts exactly"</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-89269554561495705622014-08-07T22:29:00.002-04:002014-08-07T22:29:52.410-04:00Girls Night OutI've not done a very good job of posting pictures of what life looks like here. <br />
<br />
I have quite a few, and maybe soon I'll do just a pictures post. So you can see how gorgeous it is here and all want to come visit :-)<br />
<br />
This past Monday night, a new friend of mine and I went to dinner. We both needed a girls night out. <br />
<br />
This is a new friend, but as Anne would say, truly a kindred spirit. She is old enough to be my mother, but yet it somehow is just right. She doesn't know my story and I didn't know hers, yet I knew I could tell her every gory detail and she would somehow love me more for it. <br />
<br />
It was her birthday the next day, but with our schedules, we decided Monday was the best night to go out. <br />
<br />
She picked me up at the corner of Grove St. and Columbus Ave. in Hartford around 4pm. We were headed to Stonington for dinner at a seaside restaurant. <br />
<br />
We talked each other's ear off the entire drive down to the shore, which I might add for my Midwestern friends...is a mere hour drive :-) <br />
<br />
We found our way through Stonington, which I think I could stroll the streets of for days and not tire of the scenes. Seriously. Quaint New England homes dotted along the narrow streets within view of the shore. Sailboats dotted the horizon and were tethered to a smattering of docks. <br />
<br />
It was like driving into a picture. <br />
<br />
We found the restaurant and settled into a seat on the deck looking over the water. <br />
<br />
I had never been, but she had quite a few times. <br />
<br />
What we hadn't realized is that the restaurant changed ownership. <br />
<br />
Instead of a normal restaurant, it was now a slightly upscale place to dine. <br />
<br />
We noticed this as soon as we flipped our menus over. <br />
<br />
Note: When there are no $ symbols or .00 after the prices. Its too nice of a place for Julie. <br />
<br />
We giggled and frantically decided what to order. <br />
<br />
The seafood spaghetti sounded delish and that is what we both ordered. (Anyone who knows me well, should be proud of me and all the new foods I'm trying!! Seafood spaghetti was a huge leap in the 'Julie's actually growing up' category!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting on our million dollar spaghetti. (I blotted her face out because I didn't ask her if she minded her picture being here, not because I don't want you to see her :-) )<br />
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We ate our dinner, laughing the entire time and pretended like we belonged at such a place. After we ate, we drove to New London for some ice cream. We ate our treats alongside some docks and talked even more. <br />
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It was a gorgeous summer night, the cool air blowing off the water. We had planned for this night out for weeks and enjoyed the anticipation, but realizing the night was quickly going away. </div>
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After our ice cream, we headed towards Waterford to a friends beachfront house to watch the sun set. We missed the main part of the show, but still was able to enjoy the colors fading into the sea. </div>
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We ran into other friends at the house and spent some time chatting with them. </div>
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We soon realized that it was getting late and we needed to head back north. We talked the entire way home, and then sat in the parking lot next to my car for a few minutes....still finishing up talking. </div>
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I had such a great time during this girls night. I can't wait to do it again!!</div>
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(Sorry about the pictures being sideways...not sure why. They were right when I uploaded them and I'm sure I could fix them if I really tried. But I'm tired, so I guess you'll have to turn your head to truly enjoy the pictures.) </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-79586955556968591032014-08-06T00:20:00.003-04:002014-08-06T00:37:32.169-04:00How the Red Sox made me homesick. A few weeks ago I went through a phase of homesickness.<br />
<br />
Of course I had the typical things I was lonely for... missing my family and friends.<br />
<br />
But that wasn't what was triggering it. <br />
<br />
There were a few things. <br />
<br />
The strangest was seeing Boston Red Sox apparel in Target. <br />
<br />
And it was making me sad. <br />
<br />
I know.<br />
<br />
<em>Strange.</em> <br />
<br />
But being the over analyzer that I am, I thought about why it would make me homesick. <br />
<br />
Its not like I am a die hard fan like I once was. <br />
<br />
As I thought about the years when I was a diehard Cleveland fan (who's greatest rival in the 90's was Boston and New York). I thought about all the hours I spent watching baseball, listening to baseball, studying baseball and what it all meant. <br />
<br />
It meant time spent with my dad. It meant survival in a really hard time in life (high school).<br />
<br />
He would take me to Jacob's Field (it will <em>always </em>be The Jake...forget this Progressive field garbage) for games. We would sit in the bleachers or nose bleeds...where the real fans sat. The ones who loved the game and loved the Indians. There was John Adams who would beat the drum, and the infamous wave.<br />
<br />
Most nights we would watch games at his house...even the late West Coast games that started at 11 pm. I didn't care how late the started or how late they went. I was watching or listening to every game, every inning, every pitch and every at bat. When we would watch the games, we knew as most fans did, to mute the TV and turn on the radio to listen to the animated announcers, Tom Hamilton and Herb Score. <br />
<br />
This was my life. This is what excited me. Baseball was my passion. <br />
<br />
Dad would point out things that only he could point out, and I would groan "Dad. Just watch the game! Stop analyzing it" <br />
<br />
I'm turning into him more everyday. I talk to my kids the same way. And they tell me the same thing. <br />
<br />
Looking around the Targets and the Kohls and the people passing by, wearing the red and blue that was for Boston, not Cleveland, made me homesick. <br />
<br />
Or maybe just lonely...for a time in my past where even though life seemed hard, it wasn't really all that hard. <br />
<br />
It made me lonely for my dad...for the time spent talking about baseball history and the burying of the curse of Rocky Colivito. Of Bob Feller and Herb Score, of how we were so spoiled to have a new stadium, no more was the old rundown Municipal Stadium. <br />
<br />
We spent time together watching the lazy games and the times screaming and cheering during the many comebacks the Indians had in the Cinderella seasons of the 90's. The tears of when they lost the World Series. <br />
<br />
For some reason, seeing Boston shirts for sale, made me lonely for a time and a place that I can't get to. It made me sad that my kids won't get to experience those times. Not really the baseball, but the time with their Grandpa. <br />
<br />
I've felt slightly ridiculous for these feelings and wasn't going to admit them. But anyone who knew me during the 90's knew that I was the biggest fan there was. How much of a part of my life it was and how much it has impacted me. <br />
<br />
Then tonight, while scrolling online, I came across an ESPN classics clip from the Cleveland Indians in the 90's. It brought back so many memories and in an odd way, made me feel better. <br />
<br />
(The worst part of that sentence is that <em>'classic'</em> and <em>'the 90's'</em> is in the <u>same</u> sentence. I officially feel old. haha) <br />
<br />
Anyone who says baseball is boring can't say that after watching this:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(A bit long, but WORTH IT!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(The sound of Herb Score's voice brings back a flood of memories!)</span></div>
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/Z__S4q7Gx-U/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/Z__S4q7Gx-U&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/Z__S4q7Gx-U&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Bare-handed double plays were the norm)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Don't forget my favorite #15 )</span><br />
<br />
I think what I am really lamenting is that it won't be the same for my children as what it was for me. But I already knew that. I just didn't think about reminiscing about baseball. <br />
<br />
If one of the hardest things about moving from Northern Ohio to the East Coast is baseball, which I don't even follow anymore, than I think I'm doing rather well. <br />
<br />
Although it still gives my stomach a little twinge to see Red Sox shirts all over. I guess its the Bauman in me coming out...ingrained to always root for Cleveland.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-34693626814461542032014-08-03T22:42:00.004-04:002014-08-03T22:42:51.457-04:00Crossing PathsLife is interesting. <br />
<br />
Five years ago this summer I met a woman visiting Ohio from Iowa. <br />
<br />
Before that evening, I didn't know her and she didn't know me. <br />
<br />
After that evening, we never crossed paths again. <br />
<br />
But she has been a huge influence in my life, simply by a few simple sentences. <br />
<br />
<br />
We were at the same house for a cookout and only had spoke for a few minutes briefly that evening. <br />
<br />
That was the extent of our relationship. <br />
<br />
At that point in my life, I was still with Randy. <br />
<br />
Only a small handful of people knew how horrible abusive he was. He was slowly killing me and I was in an emotional pit of mire. <br />
<br />
There was a brief moment that evening, he stepped away from me. She looked at me and said "I know he's abusive to you. But don't worry. Someday you will get out from under it and over come it. I can tell you are a strong person under it all."<br />
<br />
I didn't know how to respond. <br />
<br />
I couldn't believe someone could read my secret. <br />
<br />It wasn't shame I felt. <br />
<br />
It was hope. <br />
<br />
That there was a glimmer of light that I could survive this. <br />
<br />
It was a few weeks later, other things transpired, other friends spoke hope and I was able to stand up and escape his grip. <br />
<br />
I never remembered that woman's name or exactly where she was from. I knew she was a cousin to some friends of mine in Ohio, but other than that, I didn't know who she was. <br />
<br />
Tonight, a friend, here in Connecticut, asked me over to her house...her sister was here and she wanted to have a few people over. <br />
<br />
I saw this woman at church today and I knew that it was her...<br />
<br />
Tonight when I was able to talk to her and spend some time with her, it was confirmed that it was, in fact, her that spoke hope to me so many years ago. <br />
<br />
What amazes me, is that this August is five years I stood up for myself. I usually 'celebrate' another year of overcoming this horror by going out to dinner with a friend. This year I decided to 'celebrate' the entire month. <br />
<br />
Not celebrate the breaking of a marriage, but the survival of a family. We might be short a male figure in this family, but we are not short anything else. We have love, we have peace, we have <em>hope. </em><br />
<em></em><br />
In 'celebrating' this five year mark, I have taken a walk down memory lane to that summer of 2009....a lifetime ago. And in that walk, this woman was part of my thoughts...and here she 'shows up'. Just in time to celebrate with me. To see me on the other side of the abuse. <br />
<br />
Had to be a God thing. No doubt. <br />
<br />
She didn't remember the conversation...but I did. I remembered the hope and strength she offered me. <br />
<br />
It made me think how powerful our words are. We can destroy a person with our sharp tongues. But we can also save a person with the same lips. We can give them courage and hope. <br />
<br />
<br />
This month instead of focusing on myself and what I overcame, I'm going to celebrate this month by building up my friends...encouraging them and giving them hope. <br />
<br />
Will you join me in my month of 'celebrating'? Will you tell someone something encouraging? Will you do that for me?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-57209230424334802752014-07-28T23:22:00.002-04:002014-08-01T17:13:30.094-04:00Extension of Me. Mom/Grandma came to visit last week, and took all three kids home with her on Saturday. <br />
<br />
I'm enjoying the break, working extra long hours at work trying to beat deadlines, and spending some time for myself. <br />
<br />
But I miss them. <br />
<br />
Yea, they drive me crazy...but I miss them. <br />
<br />
Today at work they asked me how I was enjoying the time alone...<br />
<br />
My response?<br />
<br />
I said I was trying to enjoy it...but I missed them so much. <br />
<br />
What they replied made me realize how much my children are intertwined in me. <br />
<br />
How much they are a part of me. <br />
<br />
They said "Of course you miss them...they are your whole life"<br />
<br />
I don't know why I didn't realize it before...<br />
<br />
I didn't realize how much my co-workers picked up on this. <br />
<br />
But they are. <br />
<br />
They make up the better part of me. <br />
<br />
I do miss them like crazy, <br />
<br />
but am taking this time for me. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-10922962340350549512014-07-22T00:20:00.003-04:002014-07-22T00:20:49.724-04:00Average Day I have meant to keep up on this blog better than I have. <br />
<br />
I wanted to use it as a journal to someday come back and revisit this place in my heart. But, through the busy-ness of life, it didn't happen. <br />
<br />
I won't be able to capture the feelings, the emotions that I felt while settling in. And honestly, maybe I was hiding from reality. I didn't want to open up and be honest about how hard it was to experience so much change. I had wanted this for so long, I didn't want to admit that it was hard. <br />
<br />
But it was hard. And it still is hard. I know that it is right, and I know that I'm where I'm supposed to be. But it is still hard. <br />
<br />
I have a feeling that normalcy will solve some of this. Once school begins and we are all in a routine of sorts, the rhythm of life will soon take over and we will feel more settled. <br />
<br />
When I talk with friends and family back home, they often ask what fills our days. <br />
<br />
I usually leave the house around 7 or 7:30 to catch the bus for work. A few days a week, I will get on the early bus and am at my desk at 6:45 am. People who know me laugh when they hear this. I'm such a night owl...the only time I was ever at my desk at 6:45 am was when I worked night shift. <br />
<br />
Some mornings I will drop the kids off some where and other mornings, someone will pick them up between 8-8:30. <br />
<br />
The past few weeks the kids have had summer camps to attend. It has added a bit of stress of finding drivers and babysitters, etc. but it has helped them feel at home and settled in. <br />
<br />
Riley is struggling a bit. It comes and goes and most days it appears like he is doing well. But I know deep down, he really misses his friends in Rittman. He was settled, established there and it has been hard for him to uproot. Thankfully we are close and he is able to stay open with me as we talk things out. <br />
When we started the remodeling on the house we will be moving in to, he was able to help with some of the demolition work. It was great to see him working with the men, being treated like one of them. He coudn't talk about anything else for the next week. <br />
He has meet quite a few boys his age, and I love to watch them play together. He really is such a sweet kid, but has had to face so many tough things in his life and some has made him jaded. I hope in time he can soften and learn to trust more openly. <br />
<br />
Rhianna has spent past 2 weeks (and this week) working on a Summer Musical Theater program. She has THREE parts (she is ecstatic!) and is helping do the sets with her friend Leah. It has been great to see her blossom through this. <br />
She has also buddied up to a friend from church who she calls her 'CT Grandma'. I call her the little shadow. Where she is, Rhianna is right behind her. She helps in the kitchen and does all sorts of fun things. This summer they are working on teaching Rhianna how to sew and other things that her mom can't do :-) <br />
<br />
Reagan is still Reagan. His twinkling eyes and ornery grin. He has a buddy at church who is a year or so younger than him, but they both are the same height with blond hair. They could melt a stone heart with one little twinkle of their eye and the giggles that come out with every breath. <br />
There is a creek on back part of the church property here. They tried to convince me this past Sunday that the Sunday School teacher wanted to have Sunday School there and they were supposed to go down there <em>right away</em>. *I didn't fall for it but part of me wanted to.<br />
<br />
My day? My day is filled with meetings and writing documents, keeping track of IT questions and updates and documenting business desicions. I am on a couple comittees, which are fun and break up the day. I have a great relationship with the leadership of my organization and it makes going to work fun instead of a dreaded task. <br />
It no longer feels strange to have to hurry to catch the bus or to wait on a noisy city street after work to catch a bus home. It feels normal and I honestly love it. 15 minutes of down time each way is exactly what this busy mama needs to mentally switch from mom to work mode and then back to mom again. <br />
<br />
I'll try and start writing of our fun adventures we have had over the past 3 months. In the grand scheme of things, it is going great. We have been welcomed so lovingly into this church family, that daily I am overwhelemed by their willingness to take us in as their own. <br />
<br />
My mom is coming tomorrow and spending the week. Originally it was to work on the house, but our schedule is quickly filling up with other things. But I think right now, the other things, the time spent together is more important. <br />
<br />
I surprised the kids and told them that Grandma was taking them back to Ohio for a couple weeks. The kids are doing so well here, but I had promised them that I would take every opportunity to get them back to Ohio, even if it was for a long weekend. They can't wait to see their cousins and friends. I have to admit, I'm kinda jealous. <br />
<br />
Although...a couple weeks of just 'take care of myself' time sounds rather exciting and needed. <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-77988303977494009222014-07-21T00:09:00.002-04:002014-07-21T00:10:13.069-04:00Three Months In...I can't believe its been three months. <br />
<br />
Some days it seems like an eternity ago I said my good byes. <br />
<br />
Other days, it seems like yesterday. <br />
<br />
We are doing well. Settling into a routine of sorts.<br />
<br />
Work is going great. Trying to learn everything as quickly as I can. But there is just so much to learn. Going from working nights at a hospital to days at an insurance company is a big change. Thankfully, I have amazing co-workers and a great leadership team that has been so helpful. <br />
<br />
The kids are having a blast this summer, but not without ups and downs. They are meeting and making new friends, spending most days swimming, been to the beach quite a few times, not to mention Six Flags. <br />
<br />
Riley has probably had the hardest time settling in. He had a lot of friends in Rittman and was established on his sports teams. He is my kid who thrives on routine. Its been tough for him, but he seems to be doing better every day. Last week he was in a flag-football camp. He enjoyed it, but definitely missed full-tackle. Hopefully in a few years he can get back on a team and play again. <br />
<br />
Rhianna has made quite a few friends and has found a grandma/mom figure who has taken Rhianna under her wing. The two are inseperable and Rhianna has blossomed with her friendship. She helps in the kitchen at church as often as possible and is becoming well known for her constant smile. Rhianna is in a drama club this summer and has three parts in the musical they are putting on. I can't wait to see her perform for the first time on Friday. <br />
<br />
Reagan, my little roll-with-the-punches guy, has fit right in. He has a couple little friends and has said he loves it here. I love watching him at church with his little friend, two little blondies bopping around with their eyes twinkling. He was in a Lego/Robot class last week and is in a engineering/building class this coming week.<br />
<br />
***<br />
Housing? We are working on getting into permanent housing. It has been quite the unexpected journey, but again as so often in my past, I have been exactly where God has wanted me to be. We are working, with the emense help of others, to remodel a house that we will soon call our own. I can't wait to be settled into a house that is ours and that is large enough to have company stay with us. <br />
***<br />
<br />
How is it really going?<br />
<br />
I wasn't sure how much to write about how I have been feeling. I have wanted this for so long (21 years!!!) and I know that God wants me here...so why am I feeling what I'm feeling? I don't know. But it seems like the more I fight it, the worse it gets. But I'm homesick. And oddly enough, not for the things one might think. <br />
<br />
Its the little things that get me.<br />
<br />
I miss the secret little hugs my niece would give me. <br />
I miss hearing her little sister giggle in my ear. <br />
I miss my friends at the hospital, and knowing we are all scattered with the closing of the hospital makes it so much harder. <br />
I miss the sounds of the helmets and shoulder pads hitting each other during football practice...knowing this is the time of year that practice and conditining starts. <br />
I miss stopping into my Grandparents and grabbing a few dozen eggs and chatting with them<br />
I miss my family. <br />
<br />
It helps to write this. It helps to acknowledge that its okay to be lonely. Its okay to be tired of all things new. Its okay to cry when I think of everything in Ohio. It doesn't mean I'm not where I'm supposed to be. It doesn't mean I'm not doing what I'm supposed to do. It doesn't mean I'm not happy where I am. It simply means I have a lot that I love in Ohio, and for that I'm thankful. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-72547173628114542322014-06-09T22:45:00.001-04:002014-06-09T22:45:45.343-04:00Life<br />
Life is good.<br />
<br />
Busy.<br />
<br />
Hectic.<br />
<br />
Not completely settled.<br />
<br />
But good.<br />
<br />
We are adjusting to our routine.<br />
<br />
(Just in time for the last day of school this Friday to shake up our routine again)<br />
<br />
Work is going great.<br />
<br />
Hectic (DEADLINES!!), but good.<br />
<br />
School is going well for the kids. (4 days left!!)<br />
<br />
Riley is adjusting as expected. <br />
<br />
He is doing great; but trying to get away with things under the name of "I'm adjusting, MOM" :-)<br />
<br />
Soon (when I find time), I'll write about the week we spent in Ohio a few weeks ago.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-15906665103150694812014-05-22T23:05:00.000-04:002014-05-22T23:08:53.267-04:00So God made a farmer...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I love this clip.<br />
<br />
No, I'm not a farmer. <br />
<br />
But I come from the heart of farmland.<br />
<br />
Maybe at one point in my life, I wanted to run from it. <br />
<br />
Maybe not so long ago, I didn't think where and how I was raised had affected me at all.<br />
<br />
It wasn't until I was offered the job at Travelers and then was told what line of Business I would be supporting.<br />
<br />
(I work with a specific line of business and help them work with IT to implement system changes)<br />
<br />
When I was told that I would be supporting the Agriculture line of business I had to laugh.<br />
<br />
I was moving to work in a big city...to work in farming. <br />
<br />
***<br />
It was my second week of work. I was overwhelmed, tired, frustrated with myself for not learning faster, and just plain exhausted. <br />
<br />
I had a short training session scheduled with one of the VP's of Agriculture that I will be working closely with. At the time of the meeting, I didn't have any ideas of what it was about. I figured it was how our roles interact, etc.<br />
<br />
It was to teach me about farming.<br />
<br />
'Bob' is a great guy. He is nice and so easy to work with. However, I could almost sense a frustration of sorts when I first walked in the room. Later, I wondered if it was because he was going to have to teach this <i>girl </i>about farming and probably didn't really have the time to try and explain to a <i>girl </i>what farming was.<br />
<br />
He sat down next to me and explained that we cover property and liability, but our specific division doesn't cover production...and that I probably thought that the farmer who milks the cow, puts the milk in the jug. And that the farmer who grows the grain makes the grain into flour.<br />
<br />
I honestly didn't know how to react.<br />
<br />
My first thought was: "PEOPLE REALLY THINK THAT???????????"<br />
<br />
I honestly didn't know what to do. Thoughts were swirling around in my head.<br />
<br />
Do I respect him and let him go on?<br />
<br />
Or do I politely interrupt and tell him the truth?<br />
<br />
I honestly don't remember what I said or how I said it. <br />
<br />
All I remember was words tumbling out of my mouth and then eventually said:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>My grandpa was a dairy/chicken farmer</li>
<li>My dad managed a farm equipment store</li>
<li>My brother in law is a grain farmer</li>
<li>And I worked at an orchard for 3 years</li>
<li>I grew up in farmland Ohio. </li>
</ul>
<br />
The look on his face was priceless. <br />
<br />
It went from 'I have to tell this <i>chic </i>about farming' to 'WHOOHOO someone who knows something about this topic!'<br />
<br />
Our session soon went from 'myths about farming to discussions about risks of crop insurance, Farm Bureau and other such topics.<br />
<br />
He had even heard of Wayne County, Ohio.<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
So maybe I'm not really a farmer. <br />
<br />
I'm not out working a million hours a week to keep America fed.<br />
<br />
But what I am doing is helping to keep the computer system going so that farmers can be insured properly.<br />
<br />
That counts towards something, right?<br />
<br />
I left Wayne County to <i>get</i> to work in farming.<br />
<br />
Life is funny sometimes.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-63780069132501603612014-05-19T22:43:00.003-04:002014-05-19T22:43:50.976-04:00HomeIts been a month now.<br />
<br />
The first few weeks brought bumps that I didn't expect. <br />
<br />
There were the adjustments and unexpected emotions that had to be dealt with.<br />
<br />
Then all of a sudden, life seemed normal. <br />
<br />
It is home and now feels like home.<br />
<br />
I can't begin to describe the peace and contentment that I have. <br />
<br />
I am finally home.<br />
<br />
I hear many comment with:<br />
<br />
"You did it! You didn't give up even though it took 3 years!"<br />
<br />
I have to laugh. <br />
<br />
It actually took me 21 years. <br />
<br />
I first knew this was home when I was 13. I finally made it now that I'm 34. <br />
<br />
I may have taken the long route, but I made it. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://theresahippoinmytub.blogspot.com/2013/03/how-queen-lucy-had-second-chance-and.html">Breathless and shaky-legged</a> ,yes, but home nonetheless.<br />
<br />
There are still some obstacles that will have to be hurdled. <br />
<br />
We are still looking for permanent housing, which is our only glitch.<br />
<br />
Long story...but the house we were going to move into had some issues came up on the landlord's end so the deal fell through. We are staying in a small apartment that is home we look for to settle into. Right now that is the biggest hurdle, and I have a 'crew' out looking for someplace for us to call home. <br />
<br />
I came across this picture tonight and thought it said it perfectly:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbLcLQAUtTJz95sJbvDAbEQNt6341rdGfuXdXuMxqZx_fsfIfGAGXzN2V8cLm0iJgBx0E3DaHkS02c6i7UtAWxnel50vQVCFh96sPwzFBJ3an9B404K6ZG3AdOIMUIRu41KDokvOChNU/s1600/GiveittoGod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbLcLQAUtTJz95sJbvDAbEQNt6341rdGfuXdXuMxqZx_fsfIfGAGXzN2V8cLm0iJgBx0E3DaHkS02c6i7UtAWxnel50vQVCFh96sPwzFBJ3an9B404K6ZG3AdOIMUIRu41KDokvOChNU/s1600/GiveittoGod.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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We need to be content, but we also shouldn't hold on to things, ideas or concepts. So often the things we think are exactly what we need end up taking the place of something that God wants to give us that is much better. </div>
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*** </div>
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We head back to Ohio next week to get Riley. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I haven't seen him since Easter and this mama is rather lonely for her boy. </div>
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(I could say that there is a boy really lonely for his mama, but I don't want to embarrass him!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Rhianna and Reagan are doing remarkably well. They have made so many new friends and are doing great in school. They love their teachers, principal, and the kids in their classes. </div>
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Things couldn't be going better! </div>
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Thanks so much for your love and prayers! </div>
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Please pray for us to find a home and also for Riley as he makes some big adjustments. </div>
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Love you all!!</div>
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-j</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-15220680312893933052014-05-17T23:50:00.001-04:002014-05-17T23:54:58.497-04:00'Mom, you look like a widow' and other wonderful compliments!Reagan was up late with me watching me scroll through Facebook.<br />
<br />
He happened to see my cover photo.<br />
<br />
Which is this:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhkfGYj-a7LEDpeK1UER9WqPEwOA_DOIljCbvra8XyKEU6TuV1qlYAEPvkY8FH0eTngfDWluvPP8ycdi4oQdezwyj9o0bSa4NW7Jp_bIz6olZHYZm7YvMKPdWKHMEbMaPwaCEixXdGbQ/s1600/DSCN3039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhkfGYj-a7LEDpeK1UER9WqPEwOA_DOIljCbvra8XyKEU6TuV1qlYAEPvkY8FH0eTngfDWluvPP8ycdi4oQdezwyj9o0bSa4NW7Jp_bIz6olZHYZm7YvMKPdWKHMEbMaPwaCEixXdGbQ/s1600/DSCN3039.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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He said "Mom. You look like a widow in that picture!!"</div>
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<br /></div>
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I asked him why he thought I looked like a widow. </div>
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<br /></div>
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He said it was because I was wearing a scarf over my hair. </div>
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<br /></div>
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(This picture was taken in February at a Connecticut beach. It was cold!)</div>
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<br /></div>
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This didn't really make sense so I asked him:</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Do you know what a widow is?"</div>
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<br /></div>
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He said "Yea!! A widow is a homeless woman"</div>
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Uhhh??!!...</div>
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This comment came a few hours after Rhianna had asked if I there were cars when I was little. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"Um, yea..." </div>
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<br /></div>
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Then asked when she thought cars were invented. </div>
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<br /></div>
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"1800's?"</div>
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<br /></div>
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I guess that makes me a <i>very</i> <u>old</u> homeless woman. </div>
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*Sigh* </div>
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<br /></div>
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Oil of Olay wrinkle control sounds like a great investment. </div>
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****</div>
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Other than recent the recent setbacks (the ones mentioned above), we are doing wonderfully good here. </div>
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<br /></div>
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My 3rd week at work proved to be the roughest so far. I think the newness wore off, but I still didn't feel settled. My brain would hurt from all the information being shoved into it. (I'll write soon about what I do along with pictures of the city) </div>
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<br /></div>
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The next week went much, much smoother and we seem to be settling into a routine. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We are in the midst of finding/finalizing some permanent housing for us. We are in a great little apartment temporarily while we take some time to find a house that will work for us. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Other than the housing search, the kids and I are doing great. We have made so many wonderful friends and it feels like home here in Connecticut. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I pinch myself when I think this is all a dream. It is really is that wonderful. </div>
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All I can say, is to those who read this who are struggling. Don't give up. Keep looking to God and keep plugging away. Someday God will give you all the desires of your heart...in His way and in His time. When that time comes you will have to pinch yourself too. </div>
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I have so much to write, and will write more soon. </div>
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Thanks for all of your prayers, encouragement and love. </div>
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I couldn't have done this without you. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-12018042481581874902014-05-04T20:18:00.001-04:002014-05-04T20:18:23.389-04:00Better late than never...another update (Weeks 2-3)<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Another long overdue update!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Things are going great! I haven't had a chance to blog as frequently as I would like because I don’t have internet
access at my apartment because it is only temporary and figured it would take a
few weeks to have the setup, I might as well wait until I am into the house I
will be renting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I might have to
figure something else out…going without internet is proving to be
difficult. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That is one excuse for
being weeks behind on the blog, another is I’m still letting thoughts roll
around in my head and let reality sink in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I never did write about
my first week at work. And I haven’t yet
written about the kids’ first week here and now that they are 2 weeks in, and
one week of school done, I realized I need to write or all of these things will
soon be forgotten.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Week 1: (April 14-17<sup>th</sup>)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I started work on
Monday, April 14<sup>th</sup>. I had
orientation in the morning. I met a
woman who is working in a different building and has a completely different
role there. She is so sweet and we
seemed to hit it off. (About a week
later she looked me up in the company white pages and found me…we now have a
day set aside each week to meet for lunch.)
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">She has a completely
different job than me and couldn’t have a more different background. (She grew up in a Middle Eastern country,
moved to Ireland, got married and moved to Conn.) But what we do have in common is we are both
mothers (she has a 15 month old) and we are both new to the company, etc. I’m so thankful God placed her in my
orientation class and that we could already be friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After orientation, my
manager met me downstairs and walked me up to my cube. She handed me my laptop and a box of office
goodies. I worked on getting everything
set up with the help of my cube neighbor.
Already, I call her my work mom.
She is quiet, but I know she would drop everything to help me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The rest of the day is
now foggy in my memory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Tuesday-Thursday:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The first week I was
here, I was staying with a friend. We
had so much fun, going shopping some of the nights, running to Target and
getting stuff for my desk, etc. We
stayed up late every night talking and getting to know each other better. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Work went well. The woman I am replacing, and who is
retiring, is quite a character.
(Character: a nice way of saying cranky and rude) Within the first 2 minutes of my training
class on Tuesday she had me feeling like I was a 2 year old. It took me about 2 minutes later to realize
it wasn’t my problem, but hers. I would
take her comments and let them slide off my back…or try and see the humor in
them. Some were so rude I couldn’t help
but almost laugh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I also realized it
wasn’t me when the managers kept asking me if I was coming back to work after I
went to Ohio for the weekend. At first I
thought that was really odd…of course I was coming back; until one confessed that
most who trains with her threaten to quit.
I told them I was okay, but knowing it really wasn’t me and that they
had my support was comforting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Wednesday afternoon,
someone asked me something about my previous job and co-workers. I answered them and then the tears threatened
to fall. I started thinking about my
nurse’s and the three I adopted as little sisters. It takes a lot to make me cry, but here I was
sitting at my desk crying over the co-workers/friends I left behind. I realized then how much I missed them and
how close I had become to them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’ve met so many
amazing people at this company and the management is incredible. Everyone is polite, helpful, and
friendly. I’m so excited to be a part of
the team there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I drove back to Ohio
Thursday after work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Week 2: Monday-Sunday<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Monday morning we
pulled out around 3 am on a few hours’ sleep.
I was doing okay, but a few hours into the drive, I had to stop to sleep
a little bit. I ended up stopping a few
times to take a quick nap. The drive there
was much harder than I anticipated. The
further we drove, the harder it was. I
wasn’t expecting these emotions and more than once I found myself crying. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I prayed and prayed and
then remembered that so many people knew I would be on the road that day and
also would be praying for us. It came to
me then that these emotions of fear and apprehension were coming from
Satan. I knew I wanted to move here when
I was 13. Twice when I was single and
young, I almost did but chickened out.
He was there the whole time telling me it was too hard and too
scary. I couldn’t let his voice win and
scare me into turning around and driving back to Ohio. I drove on, recollecting the hundreds of
times God proved to me I really was supposed to move. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We made it to Conn.
about 12 hours later. I can usually make
it in 9, but stopping so much slowed us down.
We found the apartment and unpacked the car and soon after my brother in
law pulled in with the truck and trailer.
A handful of men from the area were there to meet us and helped us
unload. We only unloaded the necessities
and then drove the trailer over to another trailer and moved the rest of the
stuff into there. When the house opens
up we will just drive that trailer and unload it there…much simpler than a
storage unit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">At this point I was
mentally shot. They would ask me
questions (where to put what) and I couldn’t answer. They were so kind (and teased me a little)
and understanding that my brain was fried for the day. Their welcoming kindness and love made the
evening so much easier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We came back to the
apartment and then my brother in law said goodbye. I didn’t expect it to be as hard as it
was. He was staying with a couple from
church and then was pulling out early the next morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Monday night I sat in
my recliner looking around. I can’t
explain the feelings I was feeling, but overwhelmed was at the top of the
list. I stopped myself from thinking and
realized that I was beyond overtired and when I get that tired nothing looks
right and everything looks too hard. I
went to be, thankful my manager had given me Tuesday off work as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Tuesday morning we
slept in a little and then went off to the kids’ school to turn in the
paperwork, etc. We found out who their
teachers were and we met Reagan’s teacher but Rhianna’s teacher was out for the
day. We met the principal and he spent a
few minutes talking to the children. He
was kind and welcoming. He spoke to me a
little, but focused on the two children.
That made me so comfortable to see he was wonderful at interacting with
the kids and treated them well. By the
time we left, the kids were excited to start school. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We had been told that
they needed a physical and a TB test. We
found a quick-clinic and everything started out great. Until we got to the finger poke to check
blood volume. Once Reagan’s finger was
poked, it was all over. He started
screaming and running around uncontrollably.
He had never, ever done this in public and I was doing my best to calm
him down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Once we finally calmed
him down enough for the doctor to come in, it went a little better. Then it came time for the TB test (at this
point they had taken Rhianna out of the room and did her physical and TB test
in the other room) He screamed and screamed.
I did exactly what the book on parenting says not to do: I bribed him
with a toy AND a doughnut. I just wanted
to be done and get us all out of there.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After a few attempts,
he finally let us do the test and be done.
Later that night he told me he planned to scream…that the needle really
did scare him, but he was going to scream like that anyway. Just to make me mad. Honestly, I ‘m not sure if he really did have
it planned, but I pretended to be mad at his little scheme for a minute before
tickling him and snuggling him. I knew
that both kids were at their emotional limits and this wasn’t the week to
punish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">And as his treat he got
a little Lego set and a doughnut. That’s
bad parenting! But in the grand scheme
of things…I still think it was the right thing to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Wednesday-Friday: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The kids went to some
people’s house from church, forming new friends and playing with old
friends. They have gotten to know one
lady from church and when they find out they get to see her they always cheer. I’m so thankful for her friendship and help
in getting us settled in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The TB test couldn’t be
read until Thursday, so that night after work we found our way back at the
clinic. I threatened Reagan vehemently
that if he screamed again he would be in SO MUCH trouble. He just grinned and said “I know”. Thankfully, there were no screams. Only smiles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Friday I was able to
get out of work a little early to make it back to the school in time to turn in
their medical paperwork. The kids were
okay’d to start school on Monday!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Friday night we had
pizza at some friends’ house and let the kids play. We went home around 9 and crashed. It was a good week, but a tiring one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We slept in on Saturday
and spent some time at the Laundromat, had ice cream, and went to a park. It was a fairly uneventful day which is what
we needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sunday was our first
‘official’ Sunday at church. We were
welcomed lovingly and I didn’t see the kids most of the day. They were off with friends and they chatted
my ear off on the way home. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We found out at church that there was one girl in 3<sup>rd</sup>
grade at the elementary school Rhianna was going to. (There are other 3<sup>rd</sup> grade girls
at church, but they all go to the other elementary schools in town). We also realized that they have the same
teacher! There were some girls with
smiles on their faces!!! I’m so thankful
that God orchestrated this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We had been invited to someone’s
house for dinner and had a wonderful time there. I know them fairly well, but it was good to
spend more time with them and get to know them even better. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Week 3: Monday-Friday<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Monday morning was the
kids’ first day of school. The secretary
said we could come in a little early so I could walk them to their class and
Rhianna could meet her teacher. We told the teacher that Rhianna knew the one
little girl and the teacher said “No way!
I had no idea, but I put you next to her!!” Again, a little gift from God to make it
easier. Since then Rhianna has come home
and I hear all about the fun that she has with her new friend(s). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The kids did
great. And work has been amazing. They told me that I could come in a little
late and leave a little early to help the kids settle in school. I have work I can take home and my manager
said she didn’t care if I took it home, that helping my kids was very important
to them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This week flew by. The kids act like they have been at this
school all their lives and work doesn’t feel so new anymore. I’m starting to recognize faces in the halls,
I know where things are, and I know how a typical day should go. I’m starting to pick up on the lingo and
during meetings I am starting to be able to follow along. Taking the bus doesn’t seem so scary anymore,
it is rather relaxing and I enjoy the ride in to work. I know we all have a lot to learn, but we are
starting to settle in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We are all doing
great. The worst is being separated from
Riley, but we talk multiple times a day.
We are half way done and in a few weeks I’ll be back in Ohio for a week
to get him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Everything is going so
well, so when I started feeling blunky the other night I couldn’t figure out
what was bothering me. I thought about
my past few weeks and realized that it was a bunch of meaningless little things
that were adding up and creating a shadow of frustration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Little things like I
don’t know the shortest way to Target. I
know how to get there, but I know I’m taking the long way. I want to make cookies, but can’t because my
stuff is still in storage, I can’t get my mail, (I tried to get a PO box, but
it takes so long for approval, I’m just going to wait until I’m in the new
house to get a mailing address…which is why I haven’t given it to anyone</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">) I stopped myself from thinking and realized, once
again I was overtired. I made myself go
to bed and in the morning realized all of these new things will figure
themselves out and it really isn’t a big deal.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Yesterday the kids and I
are went to the beach. The sun was finally shining
and we are going to go out and enjoy the day building castles in the sand and hike up the rocks. (Pictures and post to come!!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-50114199926813261482014-04-22T20:16:00.001-04:002014-04-22T20:16:11.953-04:00This Weekend: Thursday-Sunday<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m a little behind in
keeping up with writing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It was a crazy last 10
days, to say the least. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I was going to write in
chronological order, but instead I’m going to jump around. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’ll write about my
first week at work later. Right now I’m
going to write about the past weekend and the past few days. I won’t have internet at my place for a while
so my blogging may be scattered here and there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Thursday:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I left work around
2:20. Just in time to make it
downstairs, out the door and catch the 2:34 bus. I made it to my car a little before 3 and
then headed west, towards Ohio. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It was a nice drive
home, stopping only a few times, once to take a <s>quick</s> 45 minute nap at
the NY/PA line. I made it back to
Rittman around 1:30 am. I crashed on the
couch and slept a few hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Friday:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Woke up <s>late</s> at
9:30 and started finishing up a few things around the house. I called the owner of the house (will explain
the details later) that I would be renting to make sure she (current tenant)
had in fact moved out the previous day like she agreed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">She hadn’t. And was refusing to leave. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Which meant I had a
trailer coming to load up my stuff at 1pm, a job to get back to, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">and no place
to live. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The current heart
palpitations I had started to have their own chest pains. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I made a few phone
calls, and the word was spread. I needed
a temporary place to move into and needed it quick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Within 2 hours, we had
a place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The truck and trailer
arrived promptly at 1 and people started showing up to help. I was rather scatter brained, tired, and
fighting emotions. I hope I thanked each
one who helped. I couldn’t have done it
without them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We loaded everything up
within a few hours and the trailer was shut and driven to my brother in law and
sisters house to wait for Monday morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Friday evening, before
Good Friday service, I went to the hospital to see everyone. I knew if I went at 6:30p I would get to see
2 shifts worth of friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It was so good to go
back. I needed to see everyone again and
spend a little more time with them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The kids and I went to
church and heard a wonderful service on the death of our Savior. It was bittersweet to look around and see all
the familiar faces and know that in a few days I would be leaving this
place. Memories of the past 30+ years
came flooding back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Saturday:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Saturday morning I
spent more time at the house. Cleaning a
little more, checking things, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Saturday evening my
friends, Diane and Gail, had a farewell party for me and the children. I’m not sure how many people came, but there
were a lot of people that showed up and I was overwhelmed at their goodness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I did good not crying
until the end when they pulled out three little scrapbooks. Even in the rush of the past 2 weeks, a
couple friends found time to give a scrapbook page to each one of the
children’s Sunday School classmates.
Each page was loving done and decorated with memories, pictures, Bible
verses, and songs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It was then the tears
started to flow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">They had also sent a
blank card to everyone who was invited.
They were to put words of encouragement, pictures, etc. on it for me to
take with me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I loaded up the gifts
(yes, there were even gifts!), cards, and flowers from the centerpieces and
went back to my moms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The children and I
opened our gifts and then I started going through the cards. I sobbed through most of them. So many kind words and memories were written. People gave so generously. It wasn’t expected or necessary, but it has made
the financial aspect of this move so much easier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After getting the
children settled, I ran out to the store for some treats and then into the
hospital to see the other team that wasn’t there the night before. I snuck in through ER and spent a little time
with them down there. I snuck up to the
3<sup>rd</sup> floor and surprised everyone.
I spent an hour or so with them and then headed home. I was tired and it was late. It was hard to say goodbye again, but it was
great to see them all before making the big move. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sunday:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Went to church knowing
it was going to be an emotional day. The
day was beautiful and so many people offered their prayers and support. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Everyone I spoke to
said they would pray for God’s blessings to be upon me. For the first time in my life, I stopped and
really listened to that. To think about
the words and the depth of them. To have
someone ask God to pour blessings upon someone isn’t to be taken lightly, and
until this point I always did. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After the second
service, the minister announced that we would be moving. He said a few words and then said the desire
of the Rittman congregation was the same as the words Moses said to Aaron in
Numbers 6:24-26: “The Lord bless thee
and keep thee. The Lord make His face to
shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">At this point I had no control of the tears. To sit among my brothers and sisters and
Christ and feel their love and support, in agreement of the words being read,
was so touching. It is an incredible
feeling to have that blessing put on you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The congregation then
sang “God Be With You Til We Meet Again” It was so hard to mentally digest the
reality that I was leaving. It was real and
I was really moving. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />After church, I slipped
over to the cemetery. I needed to say
goodbye to my dad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I took one of the
flowers that were on the tables from the party the night before and planted it
at dad’s grave. I’m sure it will die,
but it felt good to give him something.
It felt like I was including him somehow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />I asked my children to
stay in the car. I needed time alone
with my dad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sunday evening we had
dinner at my moms. The whole family was
there and it was good. We had a great
meal and then as the evening went on, we all knew that the time to say good bye
was coming soon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We took family pictures
and later realized that when Riley was taking pictures with my sister’s Iphone,
he was really videoing. It was so much
fun to see and hear us interact. My
brother would pinch us girls while we were trying to get a picture and in the
video you would hear the scream of whichever girl he got. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We said our good byes
and the tears started. I was doing okay
until my little niece started to wail.
She was sobbing and hanging on to me.
It was so hard to say goodbye to all of them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">After everyone left,
the kids and I stayed up and spent some time with my mom. I knew I should get to bed, but wanted to
spend time with her and Riley (he is staying with her until the end of the
school year). Finally around midnight I
went to bed. I had to get up at 2 am to
load up and head east. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">To be cont’ with
Monday-Tuesday…..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-82099149767284991652014-04-12T04:43:00.001-04:002014-04-12T04:45:56.437-04:00Leaving Work<i>It is 3:30 on Saturday morning. I can't sleep. I can blame it on my night shift sleep schedule, but truth is my mind and heart are racing to keep up with one another. I decided to get up and write. Hoping to clear my mind. This will be long. I'm writing it for me to remember later. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Thursday night was my last night of working at the hospital. It was much harder than I had anticipated. Saying goodbye to the co-workers who have become my friends was hard. I'm usually pretty tough. I can usually hold off the tears until I am alone, but there was one hug from one extra-special friend that put me over. <br />
<br />
She told me how they would miss me and I thanked her for everything, telling her that she had no idea how much I had been forever changed by working the third floor. <br />
<br />
<i>For the readers who don't know the 3rd floor at this hospital, it is the main floor, the only MedSurg floor in this hospital. We get every variety of patients and it is a difficult floor to work. It is busy, it is stressful, it is constant change as patients of all varieties come and go. There is a great sense of teamwork on that floor...teamwork being the only way to work on this type of floor with such a wide variety of different illnesses and patients. The nurses/staff on this floor are amazing.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I thought a lot about how this place changed me. I know that God needed me to make a short layover there before moving on. He had people He needed me to meet. He had people that I needed to cross paths with so they could help me become a better person, and hopefully I helped them too. <br />
<br />
I made friends who then let me see where I can grow. I made friends who then cheered me on. I made friends who changed my perspective in life. How that I have a little bit of value. That is the biggest thing I walked away with...they convinced me I have value to others. <br />
<br />
Working as a secretary, at the station-the central hub of the floor, forced me to be stronger, made me more confident, helped me to see my strengths and my weaknesses. I am learning to let things slide. <br />
<br />
Starting out, I wanted to quit. I didn't think I would be able to handle it at first. I can't handle someone yelling at me, or snapping at me. And I felt like I was constantly being snapped at. I was clueless and had endless questions that I'm sure drove everyone nuts and it took me awhile to realize the stress load of everyone and they weren't snapping at <i>me </i>they just needed someone to listen to them vent. <br />
<br />
I decided, in my mind, to change the role of the secretary. Of course I had my duties of order entry, phones, etc., but I decided to take on the role of taking care of my nurses and aides. And I didn't take that responsibility lightly. In my heart they did become <i>my </i>nurses and I decided I would do all I could to help them through their shift. <br />
<br />
I've heard stories from my sisters, two incredible RN's, of how difficult their job was. I tried to imagine all the stress they have. I knew I was limited to how I could help them, but I decided I was going to do everything I could to make their job easier. Sometimes it meant helping a nurse prep themselves mentally (and get files ready) to call that mean, nasty, crabby doc they knew was going to bite their head off. Sometimes it meant simply making them a cup of coffee. Sometimes it meant making them laugh. Sometimes it was simply listening to them vent about things. Sometimes it was just cheering them on, telling them they were great nurses and they could get through even the worst of nights. <br />
<br />
I didn't expect it to be noticed. It wasn't <i>supposed</i> to be noticed. I just wanted to help them the best I could.<br />
<br />
What I didn't expect was the amount of love and support I would be given when the time came for me to leave. <br />
<br />
I'm still pondering it all in my heart.<br />
<br />
It started with Monday night. A co-worker ordered us all pizza and then the secret slipped out...they had planned on surprising me with a DQ cake the following night. I always work Tuesdays and that would be the last night I get to work with that team....except this week my schedule was shifted and I was off on Tuesday. So the cake didn't work out, but in my eyes, it happened. The thought really does count. And I love them for that.<br />
<br />
Wednesday was my last day working 2nd shift. My last day working part of day shift and part of night shift. Wednesday I left work in tears, speechless. <br />
<br />
I first was given a gift from a special friend Sharon. We have had many gab sessions and she has helped me see me for who I am. To embrace the things about me that I once disliked. She gave me a special angel...to hang in my car and remember she is praying for me. <br />
<br />
Then, one of the docs came to the desk and told me he had something in the break room for me. When we walked in he told me that he and another doc wanted to get me something. He pulled down a cake, but before I could see it, he told me that he wasn't sure what happened but that the cake he ordered wasn't what came. He wanted it to say 'Best Wishes Julie' or something to that affect. What came was:<br />
<br />
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<br />
I thought it was rather awesome. I told him that I thought it was so perfect...hilarious actually. The only thing that could have been better was if it said 'Happy Birthday Howard' or something equally off the wall. haha. <br />
<br />
Honestly, I didn't see a cake that was wordless. I saw a cake that one busy doc took the time to order and the other <u>extremely</u> busy doc took the time to pick up. I saw an act of kindness that will never be forgotten. I felt something that I don't feel too often: I felt valuable. <br />
<br />
I'm not sure what I stammered to him. I hope I at least said thank you.<br />
<br />
A few minutes later I told them I was going to slip over to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat and return the ultrasound machine to ER. They had to tell the surprise that pizza was ordered and was going to be delivered at five as a going away party. <br />
<br />
I quick ran the US to ER and when I was down there an RN vocera'd me (called me on the little call system) and told me to get back to the break room. I ran over from ER and walked in. I saw tons of pizza with a card and a little package, wrapped in purple paper, sitting on the table. <br />
<br />
I took it out to the nurse's station and was swallowing my tears. I did not expect this. I opened the card and read all the notes the day shift nurses, aides, and other secretaries wrote. At this point the tears were almost coming out. I opened the gift and a gorgeous pen was in a box. Ann told me they wanted to get me something I could take to my new job and remember them all. That they wanted to do something for me because I took care of them.<br />
<br />
Seriously. I was in shock at this point. <br />
<br />
I said good-bye to the docs as they came in that evening for their rounds. I shared my cake with some of them that had been nice to me and told them I appreciated them being kind. <br />
<br />
My favorite was the response from the infectious disease doctor. "You can't go. We will miss you." I assured him that if he missed me, I would be willing to page him in the middle of the night and bug him...then he wouldn't miss me anymore. haha. He asked if it was a good opportunity and I said it was. A great opportunity that will give my children and I a good life. He said "go then!" He asked where I was going and I told him. He said "Oh. You can't go there. They have Lyme Disease." I busted out laughing and told him that I thought I would be okay, but would consult him if I ever became ill with Lyme Disease. (And I'm quite certain you can get that in Ohio too...so I'm not too worried. lol)<br />
<br />
Wednesday night I finished the night and said good bye to those I wouldn't work with again on Thursday. D and L: You know who you are. I love you both and will miss you terribly, but I'm so thankful we crossed paths in our lives. God truly had that orchestrated and had that planned. <br />
<br />
Thursday night was my last night. I was working third and was working with some of the co-workers I have become closest too. I knew it was going to be a hard goodbye. <br />
<br />
One nurse, A, had the night off...and it was her birthday. She drove in from 45 minutes away and brought in pizza for a goodbye party. She gave me a card, which made me laugh until my stomach hurt...written with many of our inside jokes...and a gift card to Kohls. I was stunned at the generosity.<br />
<br />
Remember the <a href="http://theresahippoinmytub.blogspot.com/2014/02/date-nut-cake-attempt-at-mastering.html">Date Nut Cake </a> I attempted to make? Jerry brought in the real deal to show me what it tasted like. And he was right. It was awesome.<br />
<br />
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<br />
He told the elderly baker that I was a co-worker who was moving to CT. Her response? "They don't make cakes like this Connecticut!" <br />
<br />
Then he told her I make my own clothes. <br />
<i>(A joke...but one I don't eve</i>r <i>want to forget so I wrote it here so I won't :-)</i><br />
<br />
We all ate pizza and cake until we were almost all admitted for abdominal pain. It was so good we just kept eating.<br />
<br />
Later that night, another RN, 'N' slipped me a card. I opened it and found a gas card and a kind message written. He told me later that he bought a small frozen cake and put it in the freezer. Not for us to eat that night, but for me to take and eat with my kids and celebrate when we get moved. <br />
I found him getting a new patients bed ready and I thanked him. He told me that he couldn't have made it his first few months as a new nurse without my support...and all the times I helped him get ready to call a certain grouchy doctor. (Which funny enough, I got to help him prep one more time later that morning:-)<br />
<br />
Day shift soon started trickling in around 6:30.<br />
<br />
The time was coming when I was going to leave for good. I knew that this had to happen for me to move forward, but it doesn't make saying good bye any easier.<br />
<br />
There were a few nurses I was glad I was able to say good-bye to in person, two in particular. To be honest, I was almost dreading it. I knew I would cry and I hate crying in front of people.<br />
<br />
'Nic' came in and we immediately hugged, knowing this was it. She started crying and that was it for me. I had kept composure for 2 days, but I broke. I became friends with a lot of people on that floor; but felt exceptionally close to 'Nic'. She had helped me out so much and cheered me on. <br />
I said good bye to everyone else, giving hugs, and well wishes.<br />
<br />
Then I took the coward's route and left before saying good bye to the other nurse I knew I would have a hard time saying good bye too. There were a couple nurses on nights that I took on as my little sisters and one of them was there that night. I just couldn't say good bye. I'm planning on popping in next weekend and seeing her then. So that was part of my excuse...I'll say goodbye later. Plus, it was time for her to give report to the next nurse and there were too many doctors coming in and too much going on. I knew I couldn't say good bye without breaking down. So I snuck on the elevators and left.<br />
<br />
There have been times that I wondered why God took so long in having me move after He told me to go. But looking back I see things that happened that needed to happen to allow me to be molded into the someone I needed to be. One of those things was working the 3rd floor of WRH. <br />
<br />
<i>I miss you all, already. </i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-63717993965967650522014-04-10T13:02:00.003-04:002014-04-10T13:02:36.839-04:00Odds and EndsI'm down to the little things to pack. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The odds and ends that really don't have a specific box they can go in.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But can't really get thrown out. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm thinking of making a box that is labeled 'LEFTOVERS'</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So thankful for everyone who has helped. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A few things to work through, but it looks like its all falling into place. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-2544251000622484802014-04-08T20:53:00.002-04:002014-04-08T20:53:30.445-04:00Street LightsIts dark outside. <br />
<br />
The sun has set and the street lights are on.<br />
<br />
I should call the kids inside<br />
<br />
and have them start taking showers<br />
<br />
then tuck them in for the night.<br />
<br />
But something tells me<br />
<br />
a little less sleep<br />
<br />
and a little more time<br />
<br />
spent playing with the neighbor boy<br />
<br />
and a friend<br />
<br />
is more important.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-65301846122942755822014-04-06T23:25:00.004-04:002014-04-06T23:55:07.568-04:00Halfway One week down; one week to go.<br />
<br />
I have so much to do and am slightly overwhelmed by all of it.<br />
<br />
Then I look back over the past week, and realize it was <i>only </i>a week, even though a month's worth of stuff happened. <br />
<br />
*I found a place to live. There are some obstacles that we have to work through (getting current tenant out), but it will be worth the wait. And one thing I can say I have learned over the past three years is that sometimes if we wait, it is better than we could have dreamed:<br />
<br />
It has 4 bedrooms with plenty of space to fill up with guests, excellent price in rent, acres and acres of property the boys can hike, a pond they can go fishing, landlord says a few bedrooms need re-painted and he would love to let the kids pick their colors so they feel at home. <br />
<br />
Seriously? Is this reality? <br />
<br />
Its like asking for a pair of shoes for Christmas and assuming your mom/dad will go to Payless and get a practical, but cheap and ugly pair of shoes only to be surprised on Christmas morning by a pair of shoes that are the most incredible shoes you could ever dream of having. (Yea, pathetic analogy...but I love shoes and couldn't think of anything else. lol) <br />
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I was assuming that God would provide something practical. Something where we could live that would 'work' but assumed it would be a difficult transition. Assumed it would be something small and hard to settle in. Instead? This house is big, an old New England colonial (completely my type) AND it has a stone wall out front. <br />
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I really shouldn't be surprised...isn't that how God works? But yet, I am reveling in the amazement of it all. <br />
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The glitch is that I potentially will need to find temporary housing for a few weeks, but I have options so I'm not going to stress about it until I find out for sure. <br />
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The landlord and I both say that it is obvious to both of us that God had a hand in this. I needed a place; he needed a reliable tenant. This evening I was over-thinking things and trying to come up with Plans A,B,C,D,E, and possibly a Plan F. (Just in case...you never know:-) <br />
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Then the thought of '<i>why don't you just ask God to make it go smoothly' </i>crossed my mind. I guess that needs to be my only plan. <br />
<i><br /></i>
Many of you have offered to help in anyway you can. One thing is to join me in asking God to make this housing obstacle be wiped away. Not really for me, but for the gentleman who owns the house and is working through the process. <br />
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*I may (or may not) have found someone to rent my house. I'm in a lease and there are some gray areas about my responsibilities of the financial aspect of breaking the lease. Someone knew of someone who knew of someone who needed a place to rent in the next few weeks.<br />
<br />
They wanted: a 2 bedroom ranch in Rittman and needed it by April 19th.<br />
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I live in a 2 bedroom ranch, in Rittman, and am loading up April 18th. <br />
<br />
Too good to be true? Or another God-thing?<br />
<br />
That's something else you can pray for. That they like it, want it, and take over the lease. <br />
<br />
*I have been in contact with the team at Travelers. Getting everything scheduled and lined up. I have a time of orientation, a lunch scheduled, and other interesting things. I can't wait, but I'm sure it will be tiring to adjust to it all.<br />
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*I've been packing. And packing. And packing. I don't work as much this week, so I'm hoping to get it all finished before I leave so I don't have to ask anyone to come in and do it for me. I had a friend come help last week, and have some others coming this week. <br />
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The week was a whirlwind. I worked 8 nights in a row (or was it 9?) and that alone makes me tired, plus all the added mental stress of moving. Plus I had a kid with the flu and one with strep.<br />
<br />
#whenitrainsitpours<br />
<br />
I went to a friends house tonight. She made us dinner and we were going to spend one last evening together. I couldn't wait for this evening. But in my exhaustion, I fell asleep for the <i>entir</i>e evening on her couch. This was after chugging a Mt. Dew. I think I'm tired.<br />
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The kids are adjusting to the idea. They are nervous, which is understandable. I'm hoping that once the transition happens, it will be much easier than anticipated. <br />
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Thank you for all your kind words of love and encouragement. It is amazing how many cheerleaders I have that have cheered me on through reading my rantings on this blog. <i> </i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4275128020922571507.post-50932563605164140292014-04-04T07:56:00.000-04:002014-04-04T07:56:04.448-04:00Jumping InJust a quick update:<br />
<br />
The past week has been a whirlwind.<br />
<br />
A little over a week ago, I was still waiting to hear if I had the job or not.<br />
<br />
One phone call changed my life.<br />
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10 days later, I am halfway packed and made significant progress with the moving process. (Packing, finding a place to live, securing a trailer, getting the paperwork done to start my job, figuring out bus passes/routes, enrolling kids in school, finding childcare...the list goes on and on)<br />
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I have one more week of work at the hospital. As ready as I am to start my career at Travelers, I know it will be so hard to leave the unit and all my awesome co-workers. Tonight is my last 16 hours shift. If it is like the past 2 nights, I'm in for a wild ride.<br />
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I have a prospective house to rent in CT. It is still in the works, but at least I have a lead. Simply having a lead has taken away so much stress.<br />
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I know in my head that God won't leave me now. He told me to go. He lead me to Travelers. I know He won't leave me without a home. <br />
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I just wish I could convince my heart. I'm tired of the rapid pounding. If it doesn't slow down soon, I'm afraid it will gallop out of my chest and across the floor. <br />
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Keep the prayers coming...this past week has been overwhelming, but amazing to live through and see all the miracles as they unfold.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04424913023052948152noreply@blogger.com1