Our Jouney Home

After our little adventure on Thursday night, we all just sat and talked for a while about what we should have done differently and then just talked in general - you know, "Girl Talk".  So, of course like every other night this week, we went to bed late.

Luckily for us there is a checkout time of 12:00pm.  We didn't have to be at the airport until about 3:30pm.  We went to bed without setting an alarm and at 10:00am Carlos woke us and asked about going to the mall (I guess they had planned it last night sometime).  So, we all got up and got ready to leave.

The mall was in the "5 mile radius" from the hotel.  So, we checked out of our rooms and then checked in our luggage with the concierge.  They held on to our luggage and then even gave us the shuttle to the mall.  We went and everyone bought things to take home.  That's where I got Brennen's "Atlanta Gift".  I found him a cap with the Broncos on it.  (I know that gifts from places that you go should be about places that you go - but he doesn't really care about Atlanta and I knew he would love the Broncos cap!!!  So, I hoped that just knowing it came from Atlanta would be good enough for him,).  Then I "people watched" while everyone else did big shopping.  Bill was the first done with his shopping after me so he and I went to the cheesecake factory and had a piece of cheesecake.  He got plain (boring) and I got Key Lime.  It was marvelous.  Just as I finished my last bite, the others started coming in.

We caught the shuttle back to the hotel and picked up our luggage.  Then the shuttle took us to the MARTA!!!  We rode the train for a while and then had to change trains.  We got off the first and the second one, came within minutes.  As I saw it approaching I stated "Man, we are on Point Today - Everything is working out".  I looked for wood and since there was none available, I knocked on Carlos' head.  We loaded the train and then guess what !!!!!!  - (a little reminder that this is why my blog is titled "ONLY TO JESS").  The train didn't move.  After sitting there for a few minutes the conductor came through stated that one of the doors wasn't closing and she needed to do a maintenance check on them.  She did checks on all of the doors on all of the cars.  Then she announced - Everyone Off.  They would send a different train to pick us up.  This one is shutting down.  (I don't even need to ask - but who do you think everyone blamed? Yup!  Me!).  We groaned and got off.  Just a minute or two went by and the other train came.  We rode it about an hour and ended up at the airport.

I checked the times and we were still GREAT on time.  So, what did my very oblivious self say to the group!  "HEY!  We are still GOOD!"  and I thought I was going to get hit with 4 very large suit cases.  I found some wood and knocked on it.  We went through the crazy airport and got all checked in and our luggage checked in.  We went through security.   Then we found our gate.  It was only about 5 down from security, so that was good.  But then we still hadn't eaten and had some time to kill.  So, we went looking for a restaurant.  We didn't see any by security - so we kept walking on.  We walked quite a while and then came across the map thing.  You guessed it - the restaurants were on the OTHER side of security.  So, we turned around.  As we passed our gate I contemplated just posting up there and waiting.  But then I remember about our adventure coming and decided I needed to eat.  So, I kept walking with my friends.  Just so happens that at the security point, there is double doors and then the other hallways.   Yup!  About a mile down, is TGIFriday!  We went in and ate a great lunch.

After lunch we walked slowly to our gate and then it was time for boarding.  We got on the plane and the rest of our day was just as smooth.  We landed in Dallas right on time and had about 1 hour and 15 minutes until our flight.  We casually walked to the train that took us to our side of the airport.  Then we found our gates and then they changed gates and we found that one too.  We then hit the snack stand and restroom.  We posted up to charge our phones and wait.

As we were waiting I "remembered" that I had handed Carlos the keys to my car back in Roswell 5 days earlier.  (He had a carry on bag and I did not.  Instead of the keys poking my leg in the airplane seats, I asked if he would just throw them in his carry on.)  So, I thought now would be a good time to ask for them since we were just waiting.  He stated he didn't have them.  I remembered back to when I was packing my suitcase last night and I didn't find them.  That's when I initially remembered giving them to Carlos.  But he was in bed so I couldn't ask him and then I had forgotten by morning.  But, just as we were having this conversation the PA came on stating that our flight was delayed due to a staffing issue.  So, since we had nothing better to do, we looked through his backpack with ten gazillion pockets.  We discussed each detail of our conversation in Roswell 5 days prior.  Even Bill remembered us talking about it and thought he remembered me giving them to Carlos.  Well, we searched his bag for a while.  Emptied it twice even.  NO KEYS.  Well, if they aren't in my suitcase and they aren't in his carry on, where were they?  Then a twinge of a memory hits me.  I remember the night we arrived in Atlanta, when we changed trains or were waiting for the train or something at the train station, he pulled his jacket out of his bag.  I remember hearing something hit the ground.  I remember looking around and not seeing anything and shrugging my shoulders and going on.  Was that my keys falling out of his bag?  Did they fall out in the hotel?  AAAGGGHHH!!!!  I tried to stay cool.  I called Amber and asked her to bring the extra set to the airport.

We finally boarded the plane to Roswell and then waiting on the plane for the flight attendant.  She had to get called in after another flight because I guess ours wasn't there or something.  Anyway, she finally came and we took off.  Luckily, a different attendant got us all settled before she got there and all we had to do was take off when she arrived.

We arrived in Roswell about 10:15pm.  I cried tears of JOY!  Literally.  I think everyone was really glad to be home.  Even one of the guys admitted to tearing up a little.  We were exhausted.  And glad to be home.  Carlos stood with me at the baggage claim while I looked for my car keys in suitcase.  I told him I would do it when I got home but he was pretty stressed over loosing them so I looked.  Guess what I found in the first pocket I opened - Yup!  My keys.  

I went and got Brennen from my mom's and then went home.  Man, I slept good that night.  The next morning I woke up not feeling well.  I figure it was from exhaustion, change in climates, and all that goes along with traveling.  But after being exhausted for a whole week after being back, I rested last weekend and felt some better this week.  My sinus infection did come back, but it is under control today.  Sorry there were no pictures.  I was TOO TIRED.

So, hope you guys have a great weekend and HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY!!!!

Where the Peach Drops

So, Thursday morning is the day of our last prestentation.  The presentation that I am essentially making by myself.  Bill is there for support and to help answer questions.  It is set to be at 11:30.  This next picture is very important.  It was kinda chilly on this morning and I was tired.  My brain hurt and it was tired.  I was in desperate need of:

COFFEE!

So, after getting some coffee and until it was time for my presentation I went to more classes:

 The classes offered on Thursday were a little differnt it was more about THERAPs sales pitch but we did find some really good ones to go to as well.








My presentation went GREAT!  There was a lady from THERAP in the room and she was able to answer some of the questions we were not able to and she also gave some really great insight into some stuff.  Our presentation this day was packed.  But it went well and I was proud of us.  I taught on the Individual Specific Training (that was mentioned in the first post from this trip).  I presented on how to put it in the system and the ways that we found it worked best for a company our size.  Phew!  After that was done - I was ready to HIT THE TOWN.  Well, we still had a few more hours of class.
That night after the conference was over, we headed out.  We had looked earlier in the week and found exactly what we were looking for.  We wanted to eat some amazing Bar-B-Que!  We wanted a small bar-b-que joint out of the way, that cooks thier meat in a homemade pit of some sort.  Well, guess what - We found it.  It was called "FAT MATT'S Rib Shack".  So, that's where we went.  The cab ride there cost us about $50 bucks.  (No wonder people take the Marta Train).

Let me tell you; Their menu was simple.  You can order a full or half rack of ribs, chicken, or a chopped pork sandwich.  If you want the combo it comes with chicken and ribs.  Pick your sides and that's it.  So, I got 1/2 rack of ribs with some Brunswick Stew and Mac & Cheese.  Man, it was so good.  The stew was like some sort of barbeque soup.  Then let me tell you about the ribs.  They just fell off of the bone.  Oh, my gosh they were so good.  It was exactly what we were looking for.

Come to find out, they have live Blue's music every night of the week.  Too bad the music doesn't start until 8pm and it was only 6pm.  We were a little early or that might have been where our journey ended that night.  

But because the girls (minus me) didn't want to wait around for 2 hours for the music to start we left.  I didn't really know what the plan was but we left there walking.  I was tired.  I had kinda been "cycling" all week and so my back was hurting and I was cramping.  I kinda pulled a party foul: we were about 5 blocks from the barbque shack and then had to turn around to go the other way to the train station.  I planted my heels and stated, "I am NOT WALKING tonight.  I don't feel good and I am not walking.  I will pay for the Taxi.  I will meet you all where ever you go if you walk, but I am NOT WALKING!"  So, they agreed and we went into a bar on that street and called a taxi.  We ordered a beer while we waited for the taxi.  I just happen to look down and see this on their menu:

Apache Style - New Mexico Green Chiles!  We got a kick out of that.  Of course they couldn't tell us where they get them from.  We figured HATCH because they have a plant or whatever.  But we got a kick out of that.  

The taxi came and we asked him to take us to the UNDERGROUND.  It was our last night in Atlanta and even though we were tired, we were looking for excitement.  I think Emilia and Mel were looking for a "club" to dance at and be loud.  I would have been good with a swim in the hotel and a beer from the lounge.  But we agreed to go and see what we could get into.  

These two pictures are what we thought we would see.  Shops, Restuarants, Music, etc... 

This is what we saw:

When we first got down there, we had to use the restroom.  It was at the bottom of the escalators.  We went in and saw prostitution and people using needle drugs.  Aaaggghhh!  Then we looked around and saw things like pictured above.  Needless to say, we got out of there.  We went back up top and started walking.  We knew there was a train station around there and so that was where we headed.  I didn't really say anything.  I didn't want to walk but knew we couldn't stay there.  After about a mile we passed the train station and everyone just kept walking in front of me.  I called thier attention to it but they kept walking calling back to me that there were some bars just up the street and around the corner.  After another half mile, I started cussing at them.  UGH!  Then after about another 1/2 mile, we ended up exactly where we all had been seperately the night before.  (A few blocks from the big Ferris wheel and the arena).  Last night before the basketball game, they had eaten at this place called the Hudson Grill or something.  That is where we finally went in. 

A few minutes after we got in there they announced they were fixing to play TRIVIA.  We had seen them do this at several other places.  So, we decided to join.  We made a team and played Trivia against like 5 other teams.  It was fun - and guess what!  We won 2nd place!  

After that Mel and Emilia still wanted to go dancing.  So, we left there and began WALKING again.  (Remember my promise earlier in the evening, not to walk?  It didn't go very far)

As we left the bar, I was looking up at the really tall buildings.  Carlos was making fun of me for something or another and so I was fighting with him.  You take all of those factors and then fact that the streets are not level and there are like these big ball things sticking up out of them and you guessed it - I fell right on my face.  As Carlos was helping me up, a really big guy came running over from out of no where.  He informed us that he was the manager at the bar we had just come from and he wanted to make sure we made it safely to where ever it was that we were going.  He talked to us for a minute and then proceeded to give us some history of the area as we walked.  He talked alot and asked a few questions.  He was very nice and seemed to want to help us.  

This man gave walked with us down a few blocks, then we turned and went a few blocks more.  He even showed us where they drop the Peach every New Year's from this big tower outside of the Underground (remember from earlier?)   Everyone kinda got this wierd feeling from him but no one really said anything.  He walked us to the Train Station in a very long round about way of doing so (about 1.5 miles).  Once we were there he told us that he feeds the homeless on the weekends and that anything would help out.  Carlos gave him $10.  But Bill stated he didn't have any cash.  Mel and Emilia went on down into the Train Station to purchase the tickets.  The guy very aburbtedly informed Bill that there was an ATM just across the street.  Bill decided that he needed cash to get a train ticket and so he went to the ATM accompanied by this man.  Carlos didn't want to leave the girls there and I was just kinda standing with him.  We stood where we could watch the girls but then Bill got out of sight.  There were trees between us and them.  Carlos and I agreed that I would keep an eye on Mel and Emilia and that he would go check on Bill.  Just as he got across the street, here came Bill.  He stated that the man had forced Bill to take out money and give it to him.  He had pushed Bill up to the machine and told him that he was charging $20 a head for providing security to us and then held him there with his body.  The dude was intimidating.  So, Bill forked over the cash.  We all then got on the train and were all kinda in disbelief about what had just happened.  Once we were all safe and out of there, We all kinda talked about it and agreed that we all got that creepy feeling from him.  We all talked about times that we should have said something.  And we all are still in disbelief that no one did.  Wierd right!?!!  If it had been the night before, when we were all on our own, none of us would have ever let that happen.    

So, anyway, we took the train to the station by the Hotel and then a taxi (cause the shuttle only runs till 10 or 11:00) to the Waffle House.  He had breakfast/midnight snack and then back to the hotel for us.  What an adventure!  

So, while writing this post, I did a little research on the web.  My research topic was DOWNTOWN ATLANTA AFTER DARK.  Here are some things that popped up:  

1. Re: How safe is it to walk alone in downtown Atlanta at night?

Nov 18, 2010, 10:41 PM

I wouldn't do it and I've lived in Atlanta all my live. Some may disagree with me. If you choose to do so, my suggestion would be to walk out of the dome over to the CNN Center, cross over into Centennial Olympic Parkand exit out of the park on International Boulevard. Walk up to Spring Street and turn left and walk down to Baker.

• Chances are that you'll be OK, but there are a lot of predatory robbing crews in Atlanta these days. Just don't take anything you'd mind losing.
• So first off and foremost, Atlanta is a beautiful enjoyable city. However like most citys, after dark, *** can get real. I have been to many bad areas in atlanta, and have had experiences ranging. 
• And while some people around downtown seem to be quite friendly,watch out!They could be setting you up.Downtown atlanta has always had these creepy people hanging there,mostly at five points marta station.Some are by peachtree st. 
• Panhandling is prevalent around the State and Capitol buildings downtown. As you travel around the inner perimeter, every bridge abutment and embankment is staked out to some homeless person(s). Gang activity is prevalent 

So there it is - We lived; We learned; We lost $50; and We ate waffles.  Stay tuned for our trip home.  It is much calmer.

Let the Learning Begin

So, if you didn't read the post previous to this one - You should.  It gives some background and then the beginning of our trip.  So, we will begin here with Tuesday morning.

I had the alarm set for 5:30am.  Being as it was about 2:30am when I went to sleep, I did not hear the alarm.  But about 7:00am Emilia woke and then woke me.  I immediately showered, dressed, and got ready.  We slept with the 3 of us girls in the room and then Bill and Carlos had an adjoining room to ours.  You would think the beds would have been 2 queen beds per room.  But they were not.  They were 2 full size beds.  Needless to say I got a bed to myself.  Emilia and Mel are pretty small.  They did ok together.  Anyway, after getting ready, I went down for the opening speeches and introduction to the conference.  I didn't get breakfast but that was ok considering it was about 10pm when we had eaten dinner.

This picture is not really a good depiction of what it was like.  I took this before it started.  See that big screen?  Well there was another in front of where I was sitting and then the room filled up with tons of people.  So, after the opening speeches and instructions and stuff we went to our first classes.  The way the conference is set up is that there are roughly 15 classes per 1.15 hour slots.  So from 9:00-10:15am you can choose 1 from about 15 classes to attend.  Then you get a 15 minute break and then go to a class you chose from the next set of 15 and so forth and so on until between 5 & 6:00pm.  Anyway, we were presenting 1st.  So, Bill and I made our way to our first meeting room.  The first presentation we did was one that Bill had been presenting over Webinars for the past couple of months.  So, he was very comfortable and I really was just there for some backup info and to support him or help answer questions.  

Here is Bill as he is presenting.

Our first class was very small with our whole group attending, the guy that was presenting after us was there (waiting for his turn) and then about 2 or 3 people for the actual presentation.  But it was a good start.  In the next few classes word kinda spread about us and we really got to show off some knowledge and network with some people.  We validated that people really were interested in what we were doing - and that is was probably the time slot that wasn't so good (and not our presentation).  But like I explained to Bill, during the first set of classes people are kinda really unsure what to do if they haven't been to a conference before and they need the first class or two to adjust.  

Anyway, we went about our day to different classes.  This is what our schedules looked like with a back page with the additional classes on it.  (Just to give you an idea).

         

Anyway, after all of our classes were done on Tuesday, we went to the lobby for a quick meeting for the certified trainers and presenters.  After that we went in search of a local restaurant with live music.  The shuttle wouldn't take us to the one we had found.  But the lady at the hotel desk gave us a suggestion.  We followed her suggestion and ended up at a restaurant called Cinco's.  Guess what - it was Mexican food.  What!?!?  I can not believe we ate went all the way to Atlanta and ate Mexican food.  Well, let me be the first to tell you that it was NOT real Mexican food.

  

This is a picture of the Salsa.  It didn't taste as bad as it looks but it was not great.  We did however have some great lobster and shrimp queso.  It was SO good.  The fajitas weren't bad but hardly had any meat.  And to top it off, our one requisition for the night was live music.  They have live music every night except Monday and Tuesday.  Since it was Tuesday we were out of luck.  They did have great margaritas (with out the margarita mix) though.  Weird right?  They don't use Margarita mix in them.  Hmmm... anyway, they were good.  So, we called a taxi and went to a bar (for live music) that the waitress suggested with the help of YELP (an Internet based event finder).  Anyway, the cab driver misunderstood what we said and didn't care to tell us.  He ended up dropping us off at the wrong place and was pretty rude about it.  So we stayed.  It was your typical bar - with NO live music - of course.  But we did get into a Jukebox war with some unknown person.  It was fun to try to play the most annoying music we could find.  They were playing some crimpy hair, slouch socks, 80's music and so after we picked like 10 great songs that kept getting interrupted for these, we started picking Spanish and old school rap.  It was fun.  

Anyway, back to the hotel we went.  I showered because we smelt like cigarettes from the bar and then we all went to bed.  (yes, it was still like 1:30 OR 2:00 before we made it into bed)

Wednesday was about the same.  I was in class from 8am until 5:00pm.  It really was kinda like being in school.  

 See, I am a good student.  I even took notes.  Almost a whole legal pad of notes by the time our 3 days were over.  Our presentation was at 1:30 on Wednesday.  It went well, our class was a lot bigger and they asked some great questions.  Bill and I co-presented this one and it went really great.  He and I really do make a good team.  We off set each other nicely.  



Wednesday night was a little different.  Emilia and Mel had gone sight seeing all day and Carlos and Bill wanted to go to an NBA Basketball game.  Just so happened that the Atlanta Hawks were playing.  And the Hawks were like on a 17 home game winning streak(or something like that).  So, they went to the game and Emilia and Mel caught up with them there.  I don't really like basketball and knew we probably wouldn't get to sit next with each other (which they didn't) so I stayed back.  Atlanta has this huge Ferris wheel that takes you into the sky and you can see the city.  I had read about it when I was researching things to do in Atlanta (back in August).  So, I really wanted to go.  Just so happened that the conference was taking people on a tour and dinner that night.  So, luckily there was space and I went with them.  After loading onto a bus with a bunch of people I didn't know, I met a girl that was giving us the unofficial tour as the bus drove us to our destination.  Her name is "Shay" (for short).  She is from Roswell, GA.  It was so funny because any time you google something for Roswell, NM - all of the stuff for Roswell, GA comes up.  Well, we just happen to be about 40 miles from Roswell, GA.  Shay is part of the THERAP team and we thought it would be fun to take a "Roswell Girls" picture.

Roswell Girls

When we were doing some research before we came, Emilia's dad had told her to be sure and go down by Ponce De Leon.  And to eat at a place called Mary Mac's Tea Room.  He said they have the best Southern food.    Well, come to find out this restaurant is famous.  It is like a real big deal.   Well, that's exactly where they took us for dinner.  Here is the insert I found on their website: "For over 70 years Mary Mac’s has been setting the standard for Southern cooking in Atlanta. Business people, celebrities, families and world travelers all dine at Mary Mac’s and feel right at home. In fact, in March of 2011 The Georgia House of Representatives created Resolution 477, in which Mary Mac’s was officially declared to be Atlanta’s Dining Room. An honor of which we are very proud, yet extremely humbled, and to which only one restaurant in the world may lay claim."
As the bus drove I noticed we were on Ponce De Leon Street.  Then we pulled up in front of...MARY MAC's TEA ROOM.

Can you believe that?  "Quinky-dink"!  For some reason the sign came out blurry.  But they served us a buffet of Southern Food.  It included Fried Chicken, Fried Catfish, Turkey and Dressing, Mac & Cheese, Cornbread, Fried Green Tomatoes, Greens, Cinnamon Rolls, and Peach Cobbler.  Man, It was so Good.  The fried green tomatoes were good.  This lady from Denver, suggested I eat them with the Louisiana Hot Sauce and yup - it was perfect.  That cobbler was amazing.  

After dinner the buses took one group shopping and the other group to the Ferris Wheel.  This is what I thought I was going to see: 

and from this wheel, I thought I would see:

Well, it wasn't exactly this spectacular.  But here is what it looks like in real life:

 This is the Ferris Wheel - definitely bigger than a regular Ferris wheel.  There are cars on there that fit 6 people and you actually go up pretty high.   The next picture is of the Olympic park.  If you make it bigger you can see the Olympic rings in that square.  Then the third picture is just some of the buildings that were around there.  The traffic in Atlanta is crazy.  There are tons of cars.  So many, that most of the taxis and shuttles all shut down between 3pm and 7pm for rush hour.  It was pretty crazy.  

After the Ferris wheel we went to Atlanta Station.  Atlanta Station Mall is: "An eclectic assortment of more than 50 shops reside in Atlantic Station, featuring a walkable streetscape-style setting with brick paved streets and a Central Park. The compact setting features great boutiques, sidewalk cafes, hip restaurants and TWELVE® Hotel, making it the perfect destination for visitors".  

Sorry, I didn't get any pictures for you.  I kinda just thought is was this huge thing with buildings and shops.  As I write, I just googled it and it is actually a really impressive thing.  We went late at night when almost everything was closed and it was dark so I didn't see much.  And since I hate shopping I didn't shop much.  But it was fun.  Here is the one picture I did take for you there: 

We returned to the hotel and then I hung out in the lounge with my new found THERAP friends.  Everyone I spent the evening with was really nice and they just kinda adopted me into their group.  It was fun.  We laughed and planned trips to Hawaii.  Then off to bed I went (about the usually time, 1:30am-ish). 

(This has turned out pretty long - so stay tuned for Thursday and Fridays adventure - trust me - you are not going to want to miss this!) 

Atlanta Here We Come

Way back in August we found out that the National Conference for THERAP was going to be in Atlanta Georgia.  (so let me explain some background stuff for a minute):

THERAP is the software program that we do all of our client documenting on.  It used to be that Nursing had software, billing had a different software, staff notes were just done on Microsoft Word forms that we created in house, etc...  Now, we are implementing THERAP and everything is electronic and in One place and can be accessed no matter where you are.  It really is an awesome program.  I have been using it since I worked in Artesia.  Tobosa - the company I work for now - has had it for about 4 years but has only REALLY started using it about 2 years ago.  Well, 2 years ago, they only used one aspect of it; in the past year WE (meaning myself and a few select others) have started implementing every aspect of it.  I do take a lot of credit for the leaps and bounds that we have taken with this software.  But everyone has really seemed to take to it well.

Back in May/June when I took the position I am in now, I was faxing 200-300 pages a week to up to 2 or 3 different State Offices.  (if you have spent ANY time at a fax machine you can appreciate that it really SUCKS!!!)  Anyway, I kinda had a hand in training the state offices how to use the program and so now they can go in and look at about 70% of what they are needing.  The other 30% I can send to them through the program.  (Guess what that did for the fax machine!)  So, now I only fax about 40 pages once or twice a week.  (My background choir is singing, "Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  If you listen real hard, you might be able to hear them.)  

Back to our company.  We have about 200 employees (or something like that - maybe a little more).  Anyway, as we implemented this software, we took it in steps because they were very resistant.  Of course, after having been using for a little over a year, they are really liking it.  It is an easy, user friendly, software.  (I think with that - I should totally get a salary from Therap!)  

Ok, so back to the conference.  I went to a regional conference in May of last year in Albuquerque.  Pretty cool, but all of the classes were pretty much under my level.  People through out the state were just starting to use it and so most of their stuff was very beginner level.  Don't get me wrong.  I learned some stuff and I learned a few easier ways of doing stuff.  One of the things I learned was about their Training Program Module.  (mind you, with all of these fancy software words, I might sound like I know what I am talking about but really, I just know to point and click and trial and error stuff).  But with this Training Program Module we can track all of our employee trainings and it will alert us when their trainings expire and they need to refresh them.  It is pretty amazing.  One of the things we needed it to do was to track employee trainings on specific individuals.  (for example, Jaxen gets a speech therapist and they do an Individual Service Plan for him.  In that Individual Service Plan, the therapist talks all about Jaxen and how he learns best and what his strengths are as well as what he is struggling with.  Then they lay out that plan that everyone working with him should follow so that everyone working with him is being consistent in teaching him new things. - So, we needed our program to track everyone that had been trained on Jaxen's plan specifically.  Make sense?)  Well, no one at Therap really knew how to make it do that.  They said that the data base would get to full.  They said that it would be way to expansive.  They weren't really sure how to make it work for what we were needing.    So, Bill and I came back from the conference in Albuquerque and we began fiddling with it.  We came up with a way that it works.  So, in July or August, I started putting all of these "Individual Specific" Trainings in Therap.  (Not like I had nothing else to do - this was one of my side projects and got worked on when I MADE time to do it).  

While I was working on this, Bill was working on creating some other forms and what nots in there and training the staff and implementing them.  You can honestly say we are THERAP Nerds or Gurus.  Anyway, that very long background stuff brings us back to August.  

So, we found out that the National Conference was going to be in Atlanta, Georgia.  (you know we had to go!).  So, Bill got all of the info and started to sign us up.  But then the people from Therap called and said they wanted us to give some of the presentations at the Conference!  WHAT?!?!?  They like what we have come up with and wanted us to train at their conference Nation wide.  So, Bill sent in our proposals and they accepted.  We were the only Provider Agency Presenters that got to present 3 different classes!  Well, not only is that a very very cool opportunity but it got Bill and I into the Conference for free.  That opened up some spots for us to take some more people.  We ended up registering a group of 5 people.  I didn't really think much about it until about December.  Between August and December, Bill made all of our arraignments.  I was way to busy with my actual day to day job that I didn't even have time to think about the trip or the presentations.  But let me tell you, by the time December came I kinda freaked out for a minute.  (It was a short minute because then I got distracted, well more like busy, and forgot all about it again).  

Then January came.  We were set to leave January 25, 2015.  Guess when I started working on my presentation that I was going to present NATIONALLY!  (if you know me you are probably going to guess on the 25th - but you are wrong - surprised?)  I started working on my presentation on the 22nd and didn't get very far at all.  So, on the 23rd of January I found myself ferociously working on it.  It is a really good thing that I work best under pressure.  When I am under pressure, things are just very clear to me.  So, it came out ok.  I felt pretty comfortable.  I do a lot of public speaking.  I do presentations regularly.  But one thing about it is that I am always so nervous.  I hate it.  I hate it until I get started.  Then it is like the subject that I am presenting on just flows from me with this excitement that wants to reach everyone in my audience.  So, I am pretty confident AFTER I have presented.  BEFORE I present I am always a crazy wreck.  It doesn't matter if it is 2 people or 200.  (Truth be known, I prefer 200 to 2 any day; and I always prefer people I don't know to people I do).  

So, I spent the 23rd preparing my presentation and the 24th packing.  I did not go into the office on the 25th because our plane was supposed to leave at 11:15am.  So, we had to be at the airport (in Roswell) around 10:30am.  Since I live by the airport I didn't see any need in going to the office and getting wrapped up in something that would constrict my time and cause me to be late.  About 10:00 I started getting text messages from the Airline that our flight had been delayed.  So, I waited.  About 11:00am I started getting really nervous and so I went to the airport.  The rest of my group showed up about the same time.  I think we didn't end up leaving from until about 12:30.  

 This is our plane in Roswell.  Anyone knows that flying out of Roswell can be pretty rough.  But we actually had a pretty good flight with no real hangups.  I was pretty nervous but it went fine.

 This is our group.  Melinda is next to me.  She is our billing specialist.  Emilia is behind her.  Emilia is our In House Trainer.  Carlos is behind me.   He is our Residential Coordinator.  He used to be my Supervisor before I took my current position.  He actually is the guy that picks on me constantly.  Bill is behind Emilia and he is our Quality Assurance guy (and also my fellow THERAP Guru!).

So, we flew to Dallas.  We were supposed to have about an hour and a half layover in Dallas.  But when our plane was delayed in Roswell, our layover was cancelled out (and then some).  We were almost late catching our flight to Atlanta.  I was still pretty nervous about the airport.  Well, when we landed we had like 7 minutes till our Atlanta plane was to take off.  We had to go down past like 10 gates and then upstairs to the train thing.  Then we had to go to the other side of the airport, down stairs and then down about 14 or so gates.  (ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!!?)  We were hustling.  (By hustling, I mean walking very fast, like that hop skip walk).  Well, about the time we hit the first of 14 gates, we hear over the intercom "Final boarding for flight 232 to Atlanta.  Final boarding for flight 232 to Atlanta.  Gate will be closing"  So, guess what we did - Yup!  Took off running!  We made it just as they were putting up the rope things.  We go through the door and down the bridge thing only to find a line.  There was a dang line as people were SLOWLY getting on the plane.  Would we have made it if we didn't run?  I think so.  Would I have chanced it?  I don't think so.

Anyway, on this flight, I sat next to Bill and the rest of the group were in the row right across from us.  As soon as we took off, the guy in front of me laid his seat back as far as it would go and look where it landed!

 Yes, this is my stomach against the back of the seat.  UGH!  Some people are very rude.  I know it says you can lay your seat back - but honestly like one or two clicks is polite.  Even maybe 3 clicks is ok.  But all the way?  Really?  That reminds me of a story.  On the flight back from Atlanta to Dallas, the guy across from me laid his seat all the way back and the guy behind him had ordered a coffee.  The seat was pretty close to the guy behind him but not touching like mine.  He had just enough room to put his tray down and it was touching his stomach (and he was a slim built man).  Anyway, the reclined guy kept coughing as he slept reclined.  Every time he would cough, the coffee would spill all over the guy drinking it.  That coffee guy was more annoyed as I was in the picture above.  Anyway, here is another picture of us on the plane from Dallas to Atlanta.   I do have to say that the plane

 wasn't half as bad as I had imagined it.  There was not alot of room but as I explained to my mom after returning, my hips were ok.  It was the leg room that bothered me.  My knees were all the way against the seat in front of me.  UGLY!

Well, we arrived in Atlanta.  There was no shuttle for our hotel.  We were too far away.  (We found out that the hotel shuttle only goes in a 5 mile radius of the hotel - Nice right?!)  So, once we arrived about 7:00pm we had to catch the "MARTA".  The MARTA is a train that runs the length of the city.  It is just like a subway but above ground.  You have to go to various stations and get on.  Then get off at your designated station and then walk to where ever it is that you are going.  Pretty nifty.

 So, anyway, we caught the train to Dunwood station and then called the hotel and the shuttle came for us.

I did discover that we are not smart travelers.  None of us had eaten breakfast.  And we had all planned to eat lunch during out layover in Dallas.  (That we didn't have).  So, by the time we got to the hotel it was about 9pm.  We were starving!  Luckily the hotel restaurant was open until 10pm.  We put our luggage in our room and headed down.  We really ate that night.  we ordered soup, salad, an entree, and even some extra sides.  Funny thing is that we all ordered the hamburger.  It was so stinkin' good.  Here is a picture of the gumbo (with rice garnish) I had for the soup.  I thought that I have never really tried "down south gumbo" and so I gave it a shot.  It was really good.

After dinner, We talked about going out on the town but we were all exhausted.  Our presentation was first thing Tuesday morning and so the group made a trip down to the Chevron across the street. Much to our liking, we grabbed a few beers and hung out in our room as we went over the schedule of classes for Tuesday and laid out who was going to what.  

We listened to music and had a HEATED discussion about some things going on at work.  Carlos introduced us to a new beer I had never tried before.  It was pretty good.  We, then made peace, listened to some more music and went to bed about 2:00am.  (Of course, we never do anything reasonable - like eat dinner and go to bed by 10:30).  

I have been typing on this post now for 2 hours and 18 minutes.  I think I will end it here and continue on a little later.  

What a hassle for nothing

Just so you know, I really wanted to write this blog.  I have been trying to get into it for an hour and 16 minutes.  It kept telling me that I had to create another domain - that my blog address no longer existed.  Then it told me I could transfer the address to some google domain with the help of tech support.  So, I got tech support and they thought I was an idiot because I didn't know what a domain was.  Then they told me I couldn't make the transfer because I don't own blogspot.com.

What a mess!!!!!  Turns out I was logged into my account under the wrong email!  When I first opened my blog I had to have a gmail account.  I didn't.  I only had a yahoo.com account.  So, I made a gmail one just for my blog.  But since then they let me use my yahoo.com one now.  So, anyway, long story short; I don't ever log out becuase obviously I don't know how to log back in.  Geez!!!!!

Now, for a post on ATLANTA GEORGIA!